The VOR and the Otoliths

Effective behavior requires accurate and continuous control of orientation in space and of position relative to external objects. These functions are governed through neural systems which employ multiple sensory inputs and perception to guide movement of the body and Its parts. An important subset of these systems is the vestibuloocular reflex (VOR), which controls eye position in response to vestibular signals generated during rotational or linear head movements, The VOR is most thoroughly characterized in response to angular head motion (AVOR). Its function is to counter rotate the eyes during head rotation, thereby maintaining ocular orientation in space (gaze) and a stable retinal image, in contrast to the AVOR, the VOR in response to linear head motion (LVOR) remains poorly understood. Like the AVOR, reflex eye movements presumably occur during linear head movements to maintain ocular fixation on compensate for-translational changes in head position.