The Semicircular Canal System of the Organs of Equilibrium - II

Abstract

Function of the semicircular canal system is considered on the mechanical basis of the heavily damped torsion pendulum. It appears that this point of view has a first approximation validity. Deviations in the responses from the predicted mechanical behavior point mainly to an inhibition of central origin. The so-called "normal test subject" tends to suppress the signals passing the stations between labyrinth and brain in a progressive manner nystagmus is less distorted than sensation. A comparison between these 2 responses may yield information on the (dis)function of the vestibular tract.