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Vestibular canals have directionally-positioned sensory receptor cells countering the axis of rotations of the head in space. (See vestibular sensory system) The vestibular nerve ganglion cells project to vestibular nuclei. Secondary neurons connect with the contra lateral abducens neurons forming a neuronal reflex arch to the contralateral lateral rectus muscle. An interconnection from the abducens region to the 3rd nerve produces conjugate horizontal eye movements by control of the medial rectus. This VOR circuitry responds to turning the head keeping the orbital globe focus to fixed objects, even with accelerations of 0.5 degrees/sec/sec or more. Constant rotation rates do not stimulate the reflex.
Vestibular canals have directionally-positioned sensory receptor cells countering the axis of rotations of the head in space. (See vestibular sensory system) The vestibular nerve ganglion cells project to vestibular nuclei. Secondary neurons connect with the contra lateral abducens neurons forming a neuronal reflex arch to the contralateral lateral rectus muscle. An interconnection from the abducens region to the 3rd nerve produces conjugate horizontal eye movements by control of the medial rectus. This VOR circuitry responds to turning the head keeping the orbital globe focus to fixed objects, even with accelerations of 0.5 degrees/sec/sec or more. Constant rotation rates do not stimulate the reflex.