Skip to main content
Log in

The caloric vestibular test in weightlessness

  • Published:
Archives of oto-rhino-laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Although the theoretical background for the caloric vestibular test was assumed to be known, recent studies in weightlessness have thrown doubts on the original theory of its mechanism. It is most likely that several mechanisms are involved in the generation of caloric nystagmus in addition to the convection current theory. Experiments with the caloric test in humans conducted during parabolic flight are described. These results are compared with the results of similar experiments performed in orbital missions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bárány R (1906) Untersuchungen über den vom Vestibularapparat des Ohres reflektorisch ausgelösten rhythmischen Nystagmus und seine Begleiterscheinungen. Monatsschr Ohrenheilkd 40:193–297

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bárány R (1907) Physiologie und Pathologie des Bogengangsapparates beim Menschen. Deuticke, Leipzig Vienna

    Google Scholar 

  3. Benson AJ (1966) Modification of per- and post-rotational responses by the concomitant linear acceleration. NASA SP 115:199–213

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bergstedt M (1961) The effect of gravitational force on the vestibular caloric test. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 53:551–562

    Google Scholar 

  5. Boenninghaus HG von (1953) Kalorisation und mehrphasiger Nystagmusbluff. Arch Ohren-Nasen-Kehlkopfheilkd 164:50

    Google Scholar 

  6. Graybiel A, O'Donnell RD, Fluur E, Nagabu M, Smith MJ (1980) Mechanisms underlying modulations of thermal nystagmic responses in parabolic flight. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) [Suppl] 378:1–16

    Google Scholar 

  7. Greven AJ, Rademakers WJAC, Oosterveld WJ, Voorhoeve R (1979) Caloric vestibular test with the use of air. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 88:31–35

    Google Scholar 

  8. Gürsel AO, Oosterveld WJ (1983) Post-caloric secondaryphase nystagmus. Clin Otolaryngol 8:181–185

    Google Scholar 

  9. Hamersma H (1957) The caloric test. A nystagmographical study. Dissertation, University of Amsterdam

  10. Hartmann R, Klinke R (1980) Discharge properties of afferent fibers of the goldfish semicircular canal with high frequency stimulation. Pflügers Arch 388:111–121

    Google Scholar 

  11. Janeke JB (1968) On nystagmus and otoliths. Dissertation, University of Amsterdam

  12. Jongkees LBW (1953) Über die Untersuchungsmethoden des Gleichgewichtsorgans. Fortschr Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkd 1:1–147

    Google Scholar 

  13. Juganow EM (1965) Einige Fragen der Physiologie des Vestibularanalysators beim Menschen bei Veränderung der Schwerkraft. Z Mil Med 6:8

    Google Scholar 

  14. Kellogg RS, Graybiel A (1967) Lack of response to thermal stimulation of the semicircular canals in the weightless phase of parabolic flight. Aerosp Med 38:487

    Google Scholar 

  15. Kobrak F (1922) Statische Funktion des menschlichen Körpers. Karger, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  16. Oosterveld WJ (1970) The caloric test in parabolic flight and during a turn in the horizontal plane. In: Stahle J (ed) Vestibular function on earth and in space. Wenner-Gren Center International Symposium Series no 15. Pergamon Press, London, pp 55–63

    Google Scholar 

  17. Oosterveld WJ, Van der Laarse WD (1969) Effect of gravity on vestibular nystagmus. Aerosp Med 40:382

    Google Scholar 

  18. Oosterveld WJ, Greven AJ, Gürsel AO, De Jong HAA (1985) Caloric vestibular test in the weightless phase of parabolic flight. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 99:571–576

    Google Scholar 

  19. Paige G (1984) Caloric vestibular responses despite canal inactivation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci [Suppl] 25:229

    Google Scholar 

  20. Scherer H, Clarke AH (1985) The caloric vestibular reaction in space. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 100:328–336

    Google Scholar 

  21. Scherer H, Brand U, Clarke AH, Merbold U, Parker R (1986) European vestibular experiments in the Spacelab-1 mission. 3. Caloric nystagmus in microgravity. Exp Brain Res 130:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  22. Schierbeek P (1951) A contemplation about the value of different methods of investigation of the semicircular canals. Dissertation, University of Groningen

  23. Schmaltz G (1932) The physical phenomena occurring in the semicircular canals during rotatory and thermic stimulation. Proc R Soc Med 25:1

    Google Scholar 

  24. Smolders J, Klinke R (1984) Effects of temperature and the properties of primary auditory fibres of the spectacled caiman. J Comp Physiol A 155:19–30

    Google Scholar 

  25. Thornval A (1932) Quelques experiences sur la réaction caloriques après les injections d'eau froide et chaude. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 17:63

    Google Scholar 

  26. Versteegh C (1927) Ergebnisse partieller Labyrinthexstirpation bei Kaninchen. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 11:393–408

    Google Scholar 

  27. Voogd J (1946) Experimentelle Diplacusie. Rap Nederl Keel-Neus-Oorheelkd Ver

  28. Wiskovsky B (1947) L'examen à deux phases du nystagmus thermique. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 35:367–376

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Oosterveld, W.J., de Jong, H.A.A. The caloric vestibular test in weightlessness. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 244, 155–158 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00464260

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00464260

Key words

Navigation