Vestibular and somatosensory inflow to the vestibular projection area in the post cruciate dimple region of the cat cerebral cortex.

ABSTRACT

In anesthetized cats 251 cells within the cortical vestibular projection area, adjacent to the post-cruciate dimple, were analyzed as to their input characteristics employing extracellular recording techniques. The post cruciate dimple vestibular field, which is located in area 3a, has a high degree of convergence between vestibular and peripheral somatosensory input. The latter is not restricted to muscle afferents but includes cutaneous modalities. The functional significance of this vestibular cortical projection field is discussed.