Oculocephalic testing is also known as which maneuver?

• A. Head thrust test
• B. Skew deviation test
• C. Doll's head maneuver
• D. Cover test

Answer: (C)

Oculocephalic testing assesses the brainstem-mediated vestibulo-ocular reflex by rapidly turning the head to elicit eye movements. The classic name for this maneuver is the Doll's head maneuver. When the head is moved quickly from side to side, the eyes should move in the opposite direction to maintain fixation on a target. This opposite movement indicates an intact reflex pathway. If the eyes do not move opposite the head or appear to move with the head, the reflex is impaired, suggesting brainstem dysfunction.

The other tests listed serve different purposes and involve different reflexes or alignment checks: the head thrust test evaluates the vestibulo-ocular reflex for peripheral vestibular function; the skew deviation test assesses vertical misalignment due to central pathology; and the cover test checks ocular alignment and phorias rather than eliciting the oculocephalic reflex.