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Specific subtotal labyrinthectomy of the superior semicircular canals of the kangaroo rat
Author(s) -
Clark David L.,
Burns Roebrt D.
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.901290306
Subject(s) - anatomy , biology , falling (accident) , semicircular canal , inner ear , sinus (botany) , vestibular system , medicine , neuroscience , botany , environmental health , genus
Unlike most mammals the semicircular canals of the kangaroo rat ( Dipodomys ) are free of petrous bone in the cavity of the mastoid sinus. This particular anatomical feature enabled the extirpation of individual semicircular canals with little or no damage to other portions of the inner ear or nearby vessels and nerves. Removal of the two superior semicircular canals resulted in: (a) a deviation of the eyes in an anterioventral direction, (b) an extension of the hindlimbs posteriorly. (c) a bending of the head ventrally, and (d) a falling to the right or left side in an anterior direction. The duration of these symptoms lasted 20 to 22 minutes. A loss of balance and falling while grooming or standing on the hindlimbs was observed to last up to three weeks. There were apparently no chronic symptoms.