The Response of the Otolith Organs to Tilt

Abstract

Action potentials and their changes in response to tilt were recorded from 60 units in the vestibular ganglion, presumably supplying the otolith organs of 10 cats. The action potentials in all units were infrequent and irregular after position was maintained for some time. The majority of the units showed no response to any change in position. In most cases, of those which exhibited a response, the responses were delayed an average of 40 sec. The evidence presented supports the view that the utricle and saccule may be vestigial organs, or at least do not function meaningfully in the orientation of the cat with respect to the gravitational field.