Current Concepts of the Vestibular System Reviewed: 2. Visual/Vestibular Interaction and Spatial Orientation

The vestibular system contributes to the generation of conjugate eye movements, spatial orientation, and postural control. The functional connections of the vestibular end-organs and of the descending vestibulospinal pathways and their importance to postural control were reviewed in the previous paper by Keshner and Cohen (pp. 320-330). This paper reviews the ascending vestibular pathways, the visual/vestibular interactions, and the role of the vestibular system in oculomotor control and spatial orientation.