Lecture 14: Motor Reflexes Flashcards
What are examples of spinal reflexes?
Stretch (myotatic) - DTR
Golgi Tendon Reflex
Crossed Extensor
What are examples of brainstem/midbrain reflexes?
Vestibular Righting reflex: prevents falling down Suckle Yawn Eye/head movements
What are examples of cortical reflexes?
Placing reaction
Hopping reaction
What is the purpose of a reflex?
Protection
Correct action w/o conscious though
Quick Reponse
What are characteristics of reflexes?
Involuntary
Short-acting
Fast
Precise
What is the biggest difference between a reflex and volitional movement?
Speed
What does a myotatic (stretch) reflex do?
Contraction (shortening) of a stretched muscle that protects muscle from tearing due to stretch
What initiates a myotatic reflex?
Muscle spindle
What are muscle spindles embedded in?
Fusiform capsule
How are intrafusal fibers organized?
Outer component: motor
Inner: sensory
What is the sensory portion of the muscle spindle sensitive to?
Sensitive to length
What are the two sensory parts of the muscle spindle?
Nuclear Bag and Chain Fiber
What do primary Ia fibers innervate?
Both Nuclear Bag and Chain
What are primary fibers sensitive to?
- Length of muscle
2. How fast length of muscle is changing
What happens when intrafusal fibers stretch?
Increase in AP