Abstract
Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) are short-latency, otolith-driven vestibular reflexes evoked by sound, vibration or galvanic stimulation and recorded from ocular (oVEMPs) or cervical muscles (cVEMPs). While oVEMPs are predominantly an indicator of contralateral utricular function, cVEMPs predominantly reflect ipsilateral saccular function. This article provides a comprehensive description of the anatomical, biomechanical and neurophysiological foundations of VEMPs, the basic principles of recording and interpreting human VEMP responses and the lessons learned from clinical VEMP applications about the function of the transient (=dynamic) otolithic system in health and disease.