Modelling the Action of Caloric Stimulation of the Vestibule: I. The Hydrostatic Model

Abstract

In this first article of four the problem is displayed using experiments on humans for two kinds of gravity related positions. In each case the nystagmus depends sinusoidally on a particular orientation of the canal to the vertical. In each case, too, a dissymmetry of the response occurs. This kind of behavior confirms that the caloric stimulation induces both a gravity dependent and a gravity independent effect. A simple mechanical model gives account of the gravity dependent effect. It does not imply the otolithic system. Since the cupula adheres to the ampullar wall and to the crista, this is a hydrostatic model in contrast to Barany's model, which is of hydrodynamic type.

Key Words:

• semicircular canal
• mathematical model
• head position.