Motor Systems Flashcards
Alpha motor neurons
Large cell body in Ventral horn. Final common path by which brain and SC influence motor output
Motor units
Single Alpha motor neuron and all muscle fibers it innervates
Gamma motor neurons
Innervate intrafusal muscle fibers
Muscle Spindle
In intrafusal muscle, in parallel w extrafusal muscle. Innervated by 1a afferents which convey status of muscles to CNS
Golgi Tendon Organs
Detect muscle tension at musculotendon jct in series w muscle. innervated by 1b afferents.
Myotatic reflex
Stretch muscle spindles, activate 1a afferents, MONOSYNAPTIC muscular contraction to protect muscles from over stretching
Flexor reflex
Extensors inhibited when flexors are excited
Crossed extension Reflex
Posture maintained by exciting extensors on side opposite flexor excitation
Central Pattern Generator
Opperate at local spinal level and gen basic rhythmic motor output through communicating amoung spinal segments
Ventromedial tracts
Maintain posture. Lateral Vestibulospinal, Reticulospinal, Tectospinal tracts
Dorsolateral Tracts
Distal muscles of limbs, Voluntary movement. Rubrospinal, Corticospinal Tracts
Lateral Vestibulospinal Tract
Stimulate extensors, inhibit flexors
Reticulospinal tract
Stimulate flexors, inhibit extensors
Tectospinal Tract
Muscles of neck and upper trunk, orienting responses
Rubrospinal tract
Affects forelimb muscles