The subject of oculogyric spasm, better known as spasm of lateral conjugate deviation of the eyes, has received considerable attention. Descriptions of the anatomic, physiologic and pathologic aspects of the phenomenon given by various observers differ. We believe that the interpretation of the symptoms in a case will benefit from a brief review of the subject from this point of view.
ANATOMY
Present knowledge concerning the anatomy of oculogyric spasm and paralysis owes much to the works of Dejerine1 and of Tilney and Riley.2 The cephalogyric and oculogyric centers can be considered in two main divisions:
A. Cortical Centers.
—These consist of: 1. The anterior or motor center, situated in the posterior portion of the foot of the second frontal convolution, from the cells of which cortical oculogyric and cephalogyric fibers belonging to the corticosegmental pathway take origin. The anterior center is associated with the peripheral centers by