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Co-activation of the M. transversus auris with eye movements (Wilson's oculo-auricular phenomenon) and with activity in other cranial nerves

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Summary

Extreme lateral gaze induces a perceptible backward movement of the upper part of the pinna (Wilson, 1908). In 29 subjects (15 normal controls and 14 patients with peripheral eye-muscle or facial paresis) electromyographic (EMG) investigation of the transverse auricular muscle with simultaneous electronystagmographic (ENG) recording of the various ocular movements was carried out. Tonic activity was detected in the transverse auricular muscle during extreme horizontal eye movements, but was detected in only a few subjects during convergent or vertical movement of the eyes, or in the primary position. Investigation of the other cranial nerves revealed that EMG activity of the transverse auricular muscle is also occasionally present during chewing, coughing, swallowing, straining, inspiration, and vestibular stimulation.

Zusammenfassung

Extremer Seitwärtsblick bewirkt eine langsame, geringe Bewegung des oberen Ohrmuschelanteils nach hinten (Wilson, 1908). Bei 29 Personen (15 Normalpersonen und 14 Patienten mit peripheren Augenmuskel- bzw. Facialisparesen) erfolgte die elektromyographische Untersuchung des M. transversus auris bei simultaner elektronystagmographischer Registrierung der unterschiedlichen Augenbewegungen.

Im Ohrmuskel fand sich stets eine tonische Aktivität bei horizontalen seitlichen Augenbewegungen, in wenigen Fällen bereits in Primärposition, bei Konvergenz und Vertikalbewegungen der Augen.

Die Untersuchung der übrigen Hirnnerven ergab, daß eine E.M.G.-Aktivität des M. transversus auris auch bei Facialisinnervation, beim Kauen, Husten, Schlucken, Pressen bei vestibulärer Prüfung und der Inspiration gelegentlich vorhanden war.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilungsgruppe Universitäts-Augenklinik, Killianstr. 5, D-7800, Freiburg, Federal Republic of Germany

    Dieter Schmidt & Uwe Thoden

  2. Neurologischen Universitätsklinik mit Abteilung für Neurophysiologie, D-7800, Freiburg, Federal Republic of Germany

    Dieter Schmidt & Uwe Thoden

Authors
  1. Dieter Schmidt
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  2. Uwe Thoden
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Schmidt, D., Thoden, U. Co-activation of the M. transversus auris with eye movements (Wilson's oculo-auricular phenomenon) and with activity in other cranial nerves. Albrecht v Graefes Arch. klin. exp. Ophthal. 206, 227–236 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02387334

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02387334

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