Spinal Reflexes Flashcards
What are three types of movement?
Reflex (automatic)
Rhythmic (automatic)
Voluntary
Give two examples of rhythmic movements
Chewing
Walking
In a cross section of the spinal cord, you can see two horns. What are they called?
Dorsal horn (posterior) Ventral horn (anterior)
Which matter is in the middle of the spinal cord?
Grey
Where is the cervical enlargement located?
C3-T1
Where is the lumbar enlargement located?
L1-S3
What is an Upper Motor Neurone?
A neurone whose axons remain in the CNS
What is a Lower Motor Neurone?
A neurone whose axons leave the CNS
Where are alpha motor neurones located?
In the ventral horn of the spinal cord
What are the main inputs to the alpha motor neurones? 2 main examples
Muscle spindles (1a afferents) Golgi tendon organs (1b afferents)
What does ALS stand for, and how is it caused?
Amyotrophic Lateral Schlerosis
Progressive degeneration of alpha motor neurones
The afferent neurone is also known as the..?
Sensory neurone
The efferent neurone is also known as the..?
Motor neurone
What is the myotatic reflex?
When a muscle is pulled on, it tends to pull back
What three things does a muscle spindle have?
Intrafusal muscle fibre
1a sensory neurones
Gamma motor neurones
The patellar tendon reflex involves two actions, what are they?
Monosynaptic stretch reflex
Reciprocol inhibition
Where is the Golgi tendon organ located?
At the muscle / tendon junction. In series with extrafusal fibres and is innervated by 1b afferent neurones
Is the Golgi tendon organ a high or low threshold receptor?
High threshold receptor
Using ________, rhythmic movements are generated
Spinal Central Pattern Generators
If you step on a tack, and you lift that leg up but lower the other to support your balance - what reflex is this called?
Flexor Withdrawal / Crossed Extensor Reflex
