In ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP) testing, the response is recorded from which extraocular muscle, and the larger amplitude response appears over which eye?

• A Inferior oblique, contralateral eye ✓
• B Superior rectus, ipsilateral eye
• C Lateral rectus, ipsilateral eye
• D Medial rectus, contralateral eye

Explanation

oVEMP records the inhibitory vestibulo-ocular reflex as an initial negative peak beneath the eyes, best detected from the inferior oblique muscle. The otolith-ocular pathway decussates at the level of the vestibular nuclei, so stimulation of one ear produces the largest response beneath the contralateral eye. This crossed organisation contrasts with the uncrossed sacculo-collic pathway of cVEMP recorded from the ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid, killing option B.

Reference: Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.