Destruction of right labyrinth causes nystagmus to
**Core Concept**
Destruction of the right labyrinth affects the vestibular system, leading to an imbalance in the vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR). This imbalance causes nystagmus, a type of involuntary eye movement. The direction of nystagmus is determined by the affected labyrinth, with the fast phase of nystagmus directed towards the lesion.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
When the right labyrinth is damaged, the VOR is disrupted, causing the eyes to move in an attempt to maintain fixation. The fast phase of nystagmus is directed towards the side of the lesion, which in this case is the right side. This occurs because the intact left vestibular system sends signals to the left abducens nerve (CN VI), causing the left eye to move outward, while the right eye is unable to move inward due to the damaged labyrinth, resulting in a slow inward movement of the right eye and a fast outward movement of the left eye.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is incorrect because nystagmus caused by labyrinthine damage is not typically associated with the direction of gaze.
* **Option B:** This option is incorrect because destruction of the right labyrinth would not cause nystagmus to move away from the lesion.
* **Option D:** This option is incorrect because the direction of nystagmus is not determined by the direction of gaze, but rather by the affected labyrinth.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The direction of nystagmus can be remembered using the "COWS" mnemonic: "Contra" (opposite side of the lesion) "Occipital" (direction of gaze), "When" (when the eyes are closed), "Saccades" (fast phase of nystagmus), and "Slow" (slow phase of nystagmus).
**Correct Answer:** B. Towards the lesion