The vestibulospinal reflex is also known as which term involving neck muscles?

• A. Vestibulospinal reflex
• B. Vestibulocollic reflex
• C. Vestibulo-ocular reflex
• D. Optokinetic reflex

Answer: (B)

When the vestibular system detects head movement, one tightly focused way it helps keep your head steady is by sending signals to the neck muscles. This neck-focused response is called the vestibulocollic reflex. It acts to stabilize the head by activating neck muscles to counteract the movement, helping maintain orientation and balance.

This differs from other vestibular-linked reflexes: the vestibulospinal reflex primarily influences trunk and limb posture, the vestibulo-ocular reflex stabilizes gaze with eye movements, and the optokinetic reflex uses visual input to help track moving scenes. So for movements and stabilization specifically involving the neck muscles, the vestibulocollic reflex is the correct term.