Abstract

The vestibular system detects both linear and angular acceleration of the head. While the semicircular canal senses angular acceleration, the otolithic organs, the saccule and the utricle, sense linear acceleration. Several ways of testing otolith function have been proposed. Clinical evaluation includes measurement of the ocular tilt reaction and tilt of the subjective visual vertical. Linear acceleration has been induced by using swings, sleds, centrifuges, tilt-chairs, and barbeque-spits. The vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials are believed to arise from stimulation of the saccule. Generally the subjective visual vertical and vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials are simple and robust tests of otolith dysfunction