Spinal Reflexes SDL Flashcards
what are the components of the reflex arc
what are touch/nocioception
- free nerve endings: mainly in hairy skin (not specific to a particular stimulus)
- terminal encapsulations: hairy skin –> pacinian (local pressure), ruffini (tension in collagen fibres), merkels (deformation of skin), meissners (sideways shearing)
what are the components of muscle spindle receptors
what is the muscle spindle and stretch reflex (8)
- spindle organs are located within skeletal muscle belly
- composed of intrafusal fibres (gamma efferent neuron and alpha efferent neuron)
- stimulation of Ia afferent fibre occurs when tension occurs in nuclear region of the intrafusal muscle fibre
- impuse created by tension travels in the la afferent fibre, with its cell body in spinal ganglion
- the axon synapses on the alpha efferent neuron within the ventral grey horn of the spinal cord
- results in contraction of the extrafusal muscle fibre
- concurrently collaterals from the Ia afferent stimulate interneurons in the ventral grey horn that are inhibitory to the alpha neurons innervating antagonistic muscles
- results in constant, low level of contraction within muscles –> results in muscle tone, as well as ability to maintain posture in gravitational forces
what are the structures shown
what are the structures shown
what are the structures shown
what are the structures shown
what occurs when the reflex arc is interrupted
receptor - diminished/absent
afferent nerve - diminished/absent
efferent nerve - diminished/absent
effector - diminished/absent
how are afferent/efferent sides of the reflex arc differentiated
what is the afferent pathway of the withdrawal reflex touch/nocioception
- afferent pathway: pinching digit –> stimulation of sensory receptors in skin and deep subcutaneous tissues
dorsal aspect of paw: sensory input travels up radial nerve
palmar aspect: sensory input travels up ulnar/median nerves
- travels to nerve cell body (in spinal ganglion) and axon passes into spinal cord through dorsal roots
- spinal cord segments: radial nerve (C7, C8, T1 (T2)), ulnar nerve (C8, T1 (T2)), median nerve (C8, T1 (T2))
- axons extend cranial/caudal in dorsolateral funiculus with collaterals synapsing on interneurons within grey matter of spinal cord
what is the efferent pathway of the withdrawal reflex touch/nocioception
- interneurons synapse on motor neurons in ventral grey matter
2. shoulder flexion: axillary (C6-8) and radial (C7-T2) nerves
3. elbow flexion: musculocutaneous (C6-8) nerves
4. carpal/digital flexion: median (C8-T2) and ulnar (C8-T2) nerves
what is the afferent pathway of the patellar reflex
- as tendon is stretched –> stimulation of nuclear bag region of annulospiral organ of the intrafusal muscle fiber
- receptor’s impulse travels in the 1A afferent nerve fibers
- sensory fibers travel in the femoral nerve to the cell body in the spinal root ganglion
- axon enters the spinal cord via the dorsal nerve root L4-5(6)
what is the efferent pathway of the patellar reflex
- axon travels into ventral grey matter and stimulates alpha motor neuron
- axons of these neurons travel in the femoral nerve and cause contraction of quadriceps and extension of stifle
what are upper motor neurons
never leaves CNS
cell body in brainstem or forebrain
axons synapse on LMN in spinal cord
what are the functions of upper motor neuron
- initiate voluntary movement (organizes & directs activity of the LMN)
- maintaining muscle tone to retain balance and control posture (modulates LMN activity on antigravity muscles)
what are lower motor neurons
connects CNS with muscle
cell body in spinal cord
axons project into peripheral nervous system (PNS) via spinal nerves to connect with striated or smooth muscles at neuromuscular junction
what are the functions of the LMN
induce muscle contraction when stimualted
how is LMN activity modulated
predominatly inhibitory action of the UMN