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REFLEX RESPONSE
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I). Innervation of joints
Hilton’s Law:
Any nerve serving a muscle producing
movement at a joint also innervates the
joint itself and the skin over that joint.
II). Reflex Arc
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| stimulus |  |
receptor |
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| sensory neuron |
|
integration center |
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| motor neuron |
|
effector |
A). Definition
A reflex is involuntary rapid predictable motor response to a stimulus.
It is a spinal response that occurs without any input from the brain.
B). Necessary Components
1). Receptor
2). Sensory neuron
3). Integration Center:
4). Motor neuron:
5). Effector:
C). Classification
1). Autonomic:
2). Somatic:
D). Types
1). Spinal reflexes
a). Stretch & Deep Tendon
 | Control the rate and amount of stretch by contracting and relaxing muscle. |
| Muscle tone is adjusted reflexively in response to posture |
i). Stretch Reflex:
| Muscle contraction in response to muscle stretch or increased length. |
ii). Deep Tendon Reflex:
| Muscle lengthening in response to muscle contraction or shortening. |
ie. Patellar (Knee jerk response)
process
| Strike patellar tendon (stimulus) |
| Stretches the quadriceps muscle (receptor) |
| Stimulates muscle spindle (sensory neuron) |
| Afferent impulse to spinal column (integration center) |
| Impulses inhibit contraction of antagonist muscle (motor neuron) |
| Results in contraction of quadriceps and inhibition of hamstring. (effector) |
b). Flexor Reflex
| Withdrawal of body part in response to a painful stimulus. (either real of perceived) |
c). Crossed Extensor Reflex
| Withdrawal of body part while simultaneously extending the opposite of the body to maintain support. |
d). Superficial Reflexes
| Response to gentle cutaneous stimulation. |
ie. Plantar Reflex: