Figure 2 Projections involved in the activation of the left lateral semicircular canal

This figure illustrates the projections involved during the activation of the left lateral semicircular canal. For instance, during a leftward rotation of the head while attempting to maintain straight ahead gaze, axons from left lateral canal (on the right side of the figure) canal neurons project to ipsilateral vestibular nucleus (primarily the medial) which then projects across the brainstem to innervate the opposite right abducens (VI) nucleus. This nucleus has two populations of neurons; a direct projection to the same side lateral rectus (right) and an interneuronal projection that crosses back to the left side via the MLF and then innervates the medial rectus subnucleus of cranial nerve III, which ultimately innervates the left medial rectus muscle.