Effects of the Tonic Neck Reflex on the Jaw Muscles of the Rat

Abstract
Effects of the tonic neck reflex on the jaw muscles were studied in rats with both ear labyrinths destroyed immediately after decerebration. Electric activities of the jaw muscles increased or decreased in response to rotation, tilting, and flexion of the head. The electromyographic responses to head position were abolished after the first three cervical nerves were cut. We concluded that the tonic neck reflex has an influence on the jaw muscles.