What are neuromuscular reflexes?

Stretching of the muscle activates nerve impulses which travel to the spinal cord. Here the incoming impulses activate motor neurons, which travel back to the muscle and result in muscle contraction. This reflex arc is primarily a spinal reflex, but is influenced by other pathways to and from the brain.

What are the 4 spinal reflexes?

Spinal Reflexes. Spinal reflexes include the stretch reflex, the Golgi tendon reflex, the crossed extensor reflex, and the withdrawal reflex.

What are types of reflexes?

Types of human reflexes

  • Biceps reflex (C5, C6)
  • Brachioradialis reflex (C5, C6, C7)
  • Extensor digitorum reflex (C6, C7)
  • Triceps reflex (C6, C7, C8)
  • Patellar reflex or knee-jerk reflex (L2, L3, L4)
  • Ankle jerk reflex (Achilles reflex) (S1, S2)

How many spinal reflexes are there?

In our discussion we will examine four major reflexes that are integrated within the spinal cord: the stretch reflex, the Golgi tendon reflex, the withdrawal reflex and the crossed extensor reflex.

What is clonus reflex?

Clonus is a rhythmic oscillating stretch reflex that is related to upper motor neuron lesions. Therefore, clonus is generally accompanied by hyperreflexia. Testing for clonus is performed as part of the neurological exam.

What are the types of reflexes?

Reflexes can be innate reflexes and acquired reflexes where the former includes genetically determined and the latter type includes learned reflexes. Reflexes can be somatic reflexes that control skeletal muscle contractions and include superficial and stretch reflexes; the other one includes visceral or autonomic reflexes.

What are the four reflexes of the spinal cord?

Spinal reflexes include the stretch reflex, the Golgi tendon reflex, the crossed extensor reflex, and the withdrawal reflex. The stretch reflex (myotatic reflex) is a muscle contraction in response to stretching within the muscle.

What is an example of a monosynaptic reflex?

Key Points. Reflexes, or reflex actions, are involuntary, almost instantaneous movements in response to a specific stimulus. Reflex arcs that contain only two neurons, a sensory and a motor neuron, are considered monosynaptic. Examples of monosynaptic reflex arcs in humans include the patellar reflex and the Achilles reflex.

How many neurons are in a reflex arc?

Most reflex arcs involve only three neurons. The stimulus, such as a needle stick, stimulates the pain receptors of the skin, which initiate an impulse in a sensory neuron. This travels to the spinal cord where it passes, by means of a synapse, to a connecting neuron called the relay neuron situated in the spinal cord.