Lecture 9: Spinal cord and Brainstem Control of Motor Function I Flashcards
Interneuron characteristics
30x as numerous as anterior motor neurons Bipolar shape Small and highly excitable Capable of spontaneous activity Most are inhibitory- GABA Some excitatory- Glutamate
Renshaw cells are what located where and use what NT
Inhibitory cells located in anterior horns of spinal cord
Glycine
Renshaw cells receive collateral branches from ___
Alpha motor neurons
Renshaw cells transmit inhibitory signals to who resulting in what
Surrounding motor neurons, resulting in lateral inhibition and enhanced fluidity of limb movement
What is it called when Renshaw cell transmits inhibitory signal to same motor neuron
Recurrent inhibition/negative feedback
Sensory and motor neurons are afferent/efferent
Sensory afferent
Motor efferent
Upper neuron axons project
To spinal cord interneurons or lower motor neuron
Lower motor neuron axons project
From spinal cord to effector
Neurotransmitter of upper lower neuron to lower motor neuron
Glutamate
Lower motor neurons found in
Anterior gray portion of spinal cord or cranial nerve nuclei of brain stem
LMN use what neurotransmitter
Acetylcholine
Cranial nerves are unique _____
Lower motor neurons
Motor unit
Single motor neuron and muscle fibers it innervates
Composed of extrafusal fibers
Motor neuron pool
Group of motor neurons that innervate fibers within the same muscle
Small motor neuron characteristics
Innervate few muscle fibers
Lowest thresholds
Fire first
Small force
Large motor neuron characteristics
Innervate many muscle fibers
Highest thresholds
Fire last
Largest force
Recruitment
Refers to the increase in tension of muscle contractions by the activation of additional motor units
Ia inhibitory neurons
Inhibits antagonistic muscle
Signal from muscle spindle
Avoids spasticity
Ib inhibitory neurons
Autogenic inhibition reflex
Golgi tendon activated with stretch
Connects with Ib to inhibit same muscle
Responsible for smooth muscle contraction and protects muscles from tears
Excitatory interneurons involved in and receive stimuli from
Spinal reflex to remove extremity from damaging stimulus
Sensory group III afferents
Muscle spindle consists of and description
Group Ia and group II afferents (small gamma MNs)
Arranged in parallel with extrafusal fibers
Detect both dynamic and static changes in muscle length-corrects for increase in muscle length
Consists of 3-12 intrafusal fibers