It is generally accepted that the otolith organs are the receptors for linear acceleration. Opinions are divided regarding the actual direction which recieve stimulation and its mechanism in the respective parts of the saccule and utricle.
In order to clear the function of the otolith organs, experimental studies were made of the electromyogram on the reflex and action potentials of the utricular nerve to the linear acceleration, the electromicroscopical fine structure, and the anatomical three-dimensional structure in the cranium.
On the basis of these studies, maculae of the saccule and utricle appear to form 1/4 of the rotatory oval surface from the standpoint of structural function. Both fell linear acceleration in the direction vertical to themselves. Pressure and traction are effective and especially the pressure stimulus predominates the others.
A powerful duplication in function was found between both maculae. It was shown that they are able to feel linear acceleration from every direction, both of them working together.
It is known that eye deviation and nystagmus can be provoked by linear acceleration in the horizontal direction for a healthy human adult.
In our investigation, playing our attention to the usefulness of such reac. tions as unique indicators of the function of the otoliths, we conducted analytical examinations of these reactions shown by 180 patients with vertigo.
An electronystagmography was used in recording the eye movements of the patients, and for linear acceleration the motor driven swing apparatus of our laboratory was employed. The stimulation was given in a simple harmonic motion with the intensity of 3 seconds in period and 50 cm in amplitude.
The reactions indicated by the 180 patients with vertigo showed many differences in comparsion with those by healthy adults:
1) shortness of time in occurrence
2) tendency of direction of nystagmus
3) types and processe of eye deviation
The responses to the stimulation in bitemporal axis are provoked mainly by the saccule, while the responses to the stimulation in body axsis come mostly from the utricle.
from the utricle. The methods used in our experiments are easy in recording the results and in techniques of testing, and we believe that these will be useful as one of testing methods of the function of the otolithorgans in the clinical analysis of vertigo.
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