[Interactions of general body-posture, oral and facial region. II. Polyelectromyographic investigations (author's transl)]. / Wechselwirkungen zwischen Gesamtkörperhaltung, Mund und Gesichtsbereich. II. Polyelektromyographische Untersuchungen.

Based on previous observations we used surface poly-electromyography (EMG) to trace influences of eye and tongue movements on skeletal muscles. While we could not show ocular effects using this method, we could demonstrate clearcut influences of lingual lateral movements on the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles. Voluntary lateral movements of the tongue inside the mouth were accompanied by an increase of the amplitude of the EMG of the contralateral SCM muscle, while lateral movements of the tongue outside the mouth produced an increase of the amplitude of the ispilateral SCM muscle. Frequency characteristics of the EMG remained unchanged. There were no such alterations with passive tongue movements. These seemingly postural lingual reflexes are discussed in the light of Bosma's concept of maintenance of pharyngeal airways.