Cervical VEMP (cVEMP) tests the integrity of the saccule and which nerve pathway?

• A Superior vestibular nerve to superior oblique muscle
• B Cochlear nerve to tensor tympani muscle
• C Superior vestibular nerve to ipsilateral inferior rectus
• D Inferior vestibular nerve to sternocleidomastoid muscle via the inferior vestibular nerve ✓

Explanation

Cervical VEMP (cVEMP) measures the vestibulo-collic reflex: acoustic stimulation activates the saccule (which is sound-sensitive), which projects via the inferior vestibular nerve to the medial vestibular nucleus, and then via the medial vestibulospinal tract to the sternocleidomastoid muscle (inhibitory response recorded as p13-n23 waveform). Ocular VEMP (oVEMP) tests the utricle via the superior vestibular nerve. The cochlear nerve does not mediate VEMP.

Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.