New findings about interrelations between vestibular receptors in the fog.

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Abstract
In the frog (R. esculenta L.), isolated head preparations, fiber activity was recorded from the ampullary nerve of the vertical anterior semicircular canal (VAC) in 2 experimental situations while electrical stimulation was applied to other vestibular nerve branches. In the 1st type of preparation the efferent vestibular fibers acting on the VAC were functionally eliminated by acute section of the anterior branch of the vestibular nerve between Scarpa''s ganglion and the peripheral receptors but close to Scarpa''s ganglion (SGE [Scarpa''s ganglion excluded] preparations); in the other type of preparation the efferent vestibular fibers were eliminated by chronic section of the vestibular nerve between Scarpa''s ganglion and the brain stem (CVNc [chronically cut vestibular nerve] preparations). In CVNc preparations the activity of > 20% of the afferent units from the VAC was decreased or completely abolished by electrical stimulation of the horizontal canal nerve, saccular nerve, or vertical posterior canal nerve, while the activity of the other afferent fibers was not modified. In SGE preparations electrical stimulation of the horizontal canal nerve or of the saccular nerve had no effect. The vestibular receptors of the frog''s labyrinth are peripherally interconnected by means of receptor-receptor fibers. Scarpa''s ganglion may be required for receptor-receptor fiber action. Hypotheses about the possible anatomical pathways for such peripheral interconnections are discussed.