[The oculoauricular phenomenon: a new reflex, a new muscle -- m. retroauricularis (polygraphic EMG study) (author's transl)].

On forced lateral gaze the outer and upper part of both ears is turned backward (oculoauricular phenomenon). A new, as far as we know, skin muscle of the external ear is described and called "m. retroauricularis". The oculoauricular phenomenon is a reflex mechanism between the abducens (m. rectus externus) and facial (m. retroauricularis) nerves. The verification of the automatic and tonic coinnervation is made polygraphically (EMG, stimulodetection) and clinically (unilateral abolition in case of homolateral facial paralysis). The oculoauricular reflex is a physiological and bilateral phenomenon, often rudimentary in man. It serves in looking, hearing and miming. The bilateral mechanism of innervation in the brainstem via the medial longitudinal fasciculus corresponds to Bell's phenomenon as to the "anti Bell".