Weakness of head turning in hemiplegia: a quantitative study.

The strength of head turning was measured in normal subjects and in patients with hemiplegia of vascular origin. In normals the strength of head turning to the two sides was not significantly different. In most patients with a cortical, capsular or high brainstem lesion the strength of head turning away from the side of the lesion was reduced. In patients with a medullary lesion the strength of head turning towards the side of the lesion was reduced. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the cortical control of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and other muscles involved in the movement of head turning.