Corneal reflex latency in lesions of the lower postcentral region

Corneal reflex latencies were studied in 53 patients with cerebral lesions. Five distinct types of abnormality were identified in 30 of these patients. The findings suggest that the lower postcentral region has an excitatory influence upon interneurons of the lateral reticular formation of the lower brainstem mediating the trigeminofacial connections of the corneal reflex. This influence descends by way of postcentral corticobulbar fibers that pass through the cerebral peduncle and pyramidal tract.