Concepts of Vestibular Compensation

  • H. Flohr
  • H. Bienhold
  • W. Abeln
  • I. Macskovics
Conference paper
Part of the Proceedings in Life Sciences book series (LIFE SCIENCES)

Abstract

Peripheral vestibular lesions such as unilateral labyrinthectomy or unilateral vestibular nerve transection result in characteristic gross disturbances of posture and movement. These symptoms disappear spontaneously with time and normal behavior is restored. This compensation process encompasses all observed deficits. The pattern of disturbances following the lesion and the time course of the compensation processes are basically similar but not identical in different vertebrates. A detailed description of the similarities and differences in the symptomatology and recovery processes in different species is given by Schaefer and Meyer (1974). The basic phenomena of the compensation process have been well known since the classical investigations of Bechterew (1883) and Ewald (1892). Magnus (1924) realized that compensation must involve an extensive reorganization of the remaining structures of the vestibular system.

Keywords

Vestibular Nucleus Head Deviation Head Tilt Compensation Process Intact Side 
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1981

Authors and Affiliations

  • H. Flohr
  • H. Bienhold
  • W. Abeln
  • I. Macskovics
    • 1
  1. 1.Universität BremenBremen 33Germany

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