[Ophthalmomimics. Polygraphic EMG study on oculo-facial simultaneous movements and functions of the autochthonous ear muscles]

Ophthalmomimic is the interaction between the extraocular eye muscles and the mimic muscles. Beside their original phylogenetic assisting function in looking and hearing, the ophthalmomimic muscles now serve in psychological communication: The play with the white of the eye ball can be interpreted as devotion ("to turn a blind eye to"); attention ("to be all eyes"); caution ("to have small eyes and to prick up one's ears"). Further on are examined function and innervation of the involuntary M. retro-auricularis (M. transversus auriculae) of the external ear, so far neglected. Practical diagnostic use could be shown, among others, in early ocular forms of myasthenic syndromes and by the help of the oculoauricular phenomenon for the differentiation between nuclear and peripheral-distal pareses of the abducens nerve.