Oculo-cephalic Reflex

The presence of this reflex is usually pathologic and it is connected with both-side hemispheral or nuclear (brainstem nuclei) lesions. When we move head of a patient passively, eyes look like if they stay in the midline, but in fact they move on the opposite side than head. In healthy man, who is conscious, eyes follow the direction of movement (reflex is not present). We usually examinate horizontal and vertical rotation.

A lesion of cranial nerves has its specific clinical look. Lesion of n. oculomotorius (III.) leads to problem with vertical movement of eye or its adduction. A damage of n. abducens (VI.) is connected with disability of eye abduction. A brainstem damages are different in this way and affect movement ability of both eyes (their conjugation).

There is one very important contraindication of this examination - trauma of a cervical spine - because we could seriously injured patient. Sometimes a result can be false-positive thanks to influence of some medication (anesthesia).

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Related articles

• Vestibulo-ocular Reflex
• Brainstem
• Cranial Nerves
• Vestibular System
• Nystagmus
• Inner Ear

Bibliography

• AMBLER, Zdeněk, et al. Klinická neurologie : část obecná. 1st edition. 2008. ISBN 978-80-7387-157-4.