NYSTAGMUS DEMONSTRATION: A VISUAL REFLEX MEDIATED BY SEMICIRCULAR CANALS ©David B. Fankhauser, Ph.D., Professor of Biology and Chemistry University of Cincinnati Clermont College, Batavia OH 45103
spin student safely for 10 turns	This page has been accessed  times since 13 February 2003.  28 January 1993, rvsd 31 Dec 1994, 6 Feb '97	halt student, closely observe eyes

Tracking objects is a complex activity under normal circumstances, but the complexity is markedly increased during movement of the head. There is a system within the brain located in the superior colliculi which receives information on rotation of the head from the semicircular canals. The superior colliculi then directs eye movements via the extrinsic muscles of the eye to compensate for these head movements.

The effects of this system can be seen when it over compensates from prolonged rotation of the body. The semicircular canals become accommodated to the rotation, and when the rotation is halted, the endolymph continues to move, triggering impulses interpreted in the superior colliculi as strong rotational acceleration signals. It therefore directs the compensating jerking of the eyes called nystagmus (from the Greek, meaning to nod). Nystagmus may also be a sign of malfunction in one of the stages of the system responsible for this reflex.
 

	ANATOMY OF THE EXTERNAL EYE: Familiarize your self with the external features of the eye:      Medial and lateral canthus (corners of the eye      Caruncle (little mound of flesh in the medial canthus.  Can you spot the tiny puncti?)      Superior and inferior palpebrae (eyelids)      Conjunctiva (covers the sclera)      Iris and pupil
NYSTAGMUS DEMONSTRATION
	1. Place student on rotating stool, away from all furniture, sharp corners, etc.
	2. Rotate student a determined number of times (5, 10, 15, etc) Take care to stop before nausea is induced...
	3. Stop rotation abruptly with subject's eyes facing observers so that the eyes may be observed at close range (about a foot away).
	4. Observe the following: a) Is the movement large or small b) How frequent is the movement (jerks/second or second between jerks) c) How long do the movements persist.
	Does the strength or persistence relate to the length of time rotation was performed? Is there a minimum length of time in order to accommodate to the rotation? Use of a video camera with slow motion playback may allow this reflex to be quantified.