Basic framework of the vestibulo-ocular reflex

Direct and indirect pathways mediating the vestibulo-ocular reflexes, considering contributions made by the vestibular commissure, cerebellum, and vestibular efferent neurons are reviewed. This background leads to a detailed treatment of three-dimensional aspects of the vestibulo-ocular reflex, comparing the planes of the labyrinthine semicircular canals with the pulling directions of the extraocular muscles. By applying matrix algebra and rotational vectors, Robinson provides insights into the comparative anatomy of the vestibular system in different species, how central circuits process raw vestibular signals in three dimensions, and how the directions of eye movement caused by brainstem and cerebellar lesions can be explained.