Relationship between nystagmus and utricular function

The horizontal neck nystagmus arising in response to angular acceleration was recorded electromyographically in pigeons (Columba livia). After bilateral section of the utricular nerves (Roumuli utriculi) the nystagmic reactions to the right and to the left remained symmetrical although they were delayed when compared to the reactions of intact animals. Unilateral section of the utricular nerves caused asymmetric reactions from the semicircular canals: the nystagmus toward the dissected nerve was delayed to a greater extent than that toward the intact nerve.