[Recording cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials: part 1: anatomy, physiology, methods and normal findings].

Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) have gained in clinical significance in recent years, now forming an integral part of neurootological examinations to establish the functional status of the otolith organs. They are sensitive to low-frequency acoustic stimuli. When stimulated, receptors in the sacculus and utriculous are activated. By means of reflexive connections, myogenic potentials can be recorded when the relevant muscles are tonically activated. The vestibulocolic (sacculocollic) reflex travels from the otolith organs over the central circuitry to the ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle. Myogenic potentials can be recorded by means of cervical VEMP (cVEMP). The vestibuloocular reflex crosses contralaterally to the extraocular eye muscle. Ocular VEMP (oVEMP) are recorded periocularly, preferably from the inferior oblique muscle. Various stimulation methods are used including air conduction and bone conduction.