Lecture 1: Viscerosomatic and Chapman's Reflexes

Question 1

What is a reflex?

Answer 1

Relationship between an input stimulus to body and output action in a muscle or secretory organ

Question 2

What receptors are found in the upper layers 3 and 4 of the spinal cord gray matter?

Answer 2

Mechanoreceptors

Question 3

What receptors are found in the upper layers 1 and 5 of the spinal cord gray matter?

Answer 3

A-δ fast pain fibers

Question 4

What receptors are found in the upper layer 2 of the spinal cord gray matter?

Answer 4

Small c fibers of slow pain

Question 5

What is found in the lower layers of the spinal cord gray matter?

Answer 5

Interneurons

Motorneuron cell bodies

Question 6

Where do interneurons receive input from?

Answer 6

Visceral and somatic afferents

Question 7

What is habituation?

Answer 7

Process of decreasing response of a neural pathway w/ a continuous stimulation
Ex: getting use to a bad smell or not feeling pain for long time

Question 8

What is sensitization?

Answer 8

Repetitive stimuli that can lead to a growing response until stabilization
-Amplifying of sensations

Question 9

What is the nociception theory?

Answer 9

Homeostasis between habituation and sensitization between over and under reactions to a stimulus

Question 10

What is facilitation?

Answer 10

Maintenance of a pool of neurons in a state of sub-threshold excitation
-Less stimulation needs to happen for excitation

Question 11

What is the current theory regarding nociception?

Answer 11

1. Strong stimulus activates nociceptive pathways.
2. Impulses travel to spinal and cord and branch.
3. Release of peptides in motor neurons

Question 12

What type of peptides are released in the nociceptive pathway?

Answer 12

• Inflammatory cascade and initiate release of prostaglandins. bradykinins, etc
• Lowers nociceptor thresholds

Question 13

Inflammation disrupts the balance between what?

Answer 13

Habituation and sensitization

-larger normal motor outputs to autonomic and somatic systems

Question 14

What is short term excitability?

Answer 14

1-2 seconds of afferent input

90-120 seconds of excitability

Question 15

What is long term excitability?

Answer 15

Several minutes of afferent input

Hours of excitability

Question 16

What is fixation?

Answer 16

15-20 minutes of afferent input

Days or weeks of excitability

Question 17

What can cause permanent excitability?

Answer 17

Death of inhibitory neurons

Question 18

What is allostasis?

Answer 18

• Long term neural effect of segmental facilitation

- Process by which the body responds to stressors in order to regain homeostasis.

Question 19

What are some things that can affect allostasis?

Answer 19

Physical stress: somatic and visceral
Psychological stress (emotional)
CV: HTN, Increased risk for MI
Neuro: Depression, anxiety, memory loss, etc
Weaker immune system

Question 20

Describe somatosomatic reflex.

Answer 20

Localized somatic stimuli producing patterns of reflex response in segmentally related somatic structures

Question 21

Describe somatovisceral reflex.

Answer 21

Localized somatic stimulation producing patterns of reflex response in segmentally related visceral structures
*If finger is injured, can have increase HR and feel sweaty

Question 22

Describe viscerosomatic reflex.

Answer 22

Localized visceral stimuli producing patterns of reflex response in segmentally related somatic structures
*Somatic pain from visceral nociceptive stimuli

Question 23

Describe viscerovisceral reflex.

Answer 23

Localized visceral stimuli producing patterns of reflex response in segmentally related visceral structures
*Cramping due to bad food you ate

Question 24

What is the withdrawal response?

Answer 24

Somatosomatic reflex response: occurs when noxious stimulus is applied to somatic structure
*Quickly withdrawing hand from hot pot

Question 25

What is the myotatic response?

Answer 25

Somatosomatic reflex response: occurs when stretch receptor is stimulated and stretched muscle receives impulse to fire. Meanwhile, antagonist muscle receives inhibitory muscles
*Active biceps and relax triceps

Question 26

Describe somatocardiac reflex.

Answer 26

Nociceptive somatic stimuli result in elevation of heart rate and blood pressure
*When in pain, HR increases

Question 27

Describe somatogastric reflex.

Answer 27

Nociceptive somatic stimuli results in inhibition of peristalsis in the stomach
*When in pain, peristalsis stops

Question 28

Describe somatoadrenal reflex.

Answer 28

Nociceptive somatic stimuli results in the release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla.
*When in pain, release of Norepi and epi.

Question 29

Where are cell bodies located in visceral sensory system?

Answer 29

DRG or Vagal Ganglia

Question 30

What are Chapman’s points?

Answer 30

Palpable points on the anterior and posterior surfaces of the body that are considered to be reflections of visceral dysfunction/disease

Question 31

What are the three components of the Chapman’s points?

Answer 31

1. Viscerosomatic reflex of both diagnostic and treatment value
2. Gangliform contraction that blocks lymphatic drainage and causes SNS dysfunction
3. A consistent reproducible series of points both anterior and posterior related to specific organs or conditions`

Question 32

Where are Chapman’s points located?

Answer 32

• Deep to the skin in the subcutaneous areolar tissue on deep fascia or periosteum
• Paired anterior and posterior points in most cases

Question 33

How do you treat a Chapman’s point?

Answer 33

1. Apply gentle but firm pressure that can cause a disagreeable pain response in patient
2. Can alternate between clockwise and counter clockwise

Question 34

What should the patient feel when you are treating a Chapman’s point?

Answer 34

Pinpoint
Sharp
Non-radiating
*normally unaware of this point

Question 35

What are some relative contraindications of Chapman’s points?

Answer 35

Fracture
Cancer
Etc.