Long latency components of the jaw jerk and blink reflex in man.

In the present study, the electromyographic (EMG) activity in the masseter and temporal muscles during about 200 ms after chin taps (jaw jerk response) was compared with the EMG activity in the orbicularis oculi after glabella tap (blink reflex). In two of ten subjects components with long latency and duration, analogous to blink reflex components BR2 and BR3, were found in the masseter and temporal muscles. They may represent the mechanical contraction which results in jaw closure. In two of the subjects chin taps were found to elicit late responses in the orbicularis oculi with the same latencies (25-30 and 80-100 ms) as BR2 and BR3 associated with glabella tap.