Final answer:
The signals for excitation and inhibition of medial rectus muscles during the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex cross at the Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus (MLF), which connects various eye movement nuclei in the brainstem to coordinate conjugate gaze.
Step-by-step explanation:
The signals allowing for excitation and inhibition of your medial rectus muscles during the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) cross at the Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus (MLF). The MLF is a neural pathway that interconnects various nuclei in the brainstem, including the oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nuclei, which control the extraocular muscles necessary for coordinating eye movements. When the head rotates, signals from the vestibular system inform these nuclei through the MLF to move the eyes in the opposite direction of the head, thus keeping the visual stimulus centered.
Specifically, the abducens nucleus controls the lateral rectus muscle of one eye, causing it to contract, while the oculomotor nucleus controls the medial rectus muscle of the opposite eye. The MLF plays a crucial role in relaying these signals between the nuclei for coordinated, conjugate gaze. This reflex allows us to maintain our gaze on a fixed point even while the head is moving.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is C. Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus.