Final answer:
The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) is at work when you hear a sudden noise behind you and reflexively turn your head. It is a reflex that coordinates head movements with eye movements to keep the visual field stable.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you hear a sudden noise behind you and reflexively turn your head, the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) is at work.
The VOR is a reflex that coordinates head movements with eye movements to keep the visual field stable. It involves a circuit that connects the vestibular sense (which detects head movement and orientation) with the eye movement nuclei through the medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF).
This reflex is important for maintaining visual stability during movements, such as when you turn your head to look at something or when you are walking and looking around.