Session 4 – Small group

Briefing - Motor System

 Somatic Motor Reflexes
Monosynaptic and polysynaptic somatic motor reflexes

Figure 13-1a
 Proprioceptors
Muscle spindles are sensory receptors in muscle that control
muscle tone and prevent injury from overstretching of the
muscle. They are found in all muscles and are tonically active,
firing increases as the muscle stretches.

Figure 13-3a–b
 Muscle spindle reflex
It detect any change in muscle length and the rate of that change
It is responsible for muscle tone
Muscle spindle stimulation results
in
)a(
Reflex contraction 1 Extrafusal muscle
fibers at resting length
1
Spinal
3 cord
Sensory 2 Sensory neuron is
neuron .tonically active
endings 2
Sensory
neuron
Intrafusal 3 Spinal cord integrates
fibers of .function
muscle spindle

4 Alpha motor neurons

to extrafusal fibers
receive tonic input
4
.from muscle spindles
5 Alpha motor
neuron
5 Extrafusal fibers
maintain a certain
level of tension
.even at rest
Figure 13-4a
Patellar Tendon (Knee Jerk) Reflex Afferent path: Action
potential travels through
Receptor: Muscle
.sensory neuron
spindle stretches
.and fires
:Stimulus
Tap to tendon
stretches
.muscle

The patellar tendon (knee jerk)

reflex illustrates a
monosynaptic stretch
reflex and reciprocal
inhibition of the
.antagonistic muscle

Figure 13-7
Patellar Tendon (Knee Jerk) Reflex Afferent path: Action
potential travels through
Receptor: Muscle Integrating
.sensory neuron
spindle stretches :center
.and fires Sensory neuron
:Stimulus synapses in
Tap to tendon .spinal cord
stretches
.muscle

The patellar tendon (knee jerk)

reflex illustrates a :Efferent path 1
monosynaptic stretch onto
Somatic motor neuron
reflex and reciprocal
inhibition of the
.antagonistic muscle

Efferent path 2: Interneuron

inhibiting somatic motor neuron

Figure 13-7
Patellar Tendon (Knee Jerk) Reflex
Afferent path: Action
potential travels through
Receptor: Muscle Integrating
.sensory neuron
spindle stretches :center
.and fires Sensory neuron
:Stimulus synapses in
Tap to tendon .spinal cord
stretches
.muscle

The patellar tendon (knee jerk)

reflex illustrates a :Efferent path 1
monosynaptic stretch onto
Somatic motor neuron
reflex and reciprocal
inhibition of the
.antagonistic muscle
Effector 1: Quadriceps
muscle
Efferent path 2: Interneuron
inhibiting somatic motor neuron
Response: Quadriceps
contracts, swinging lower
.leg forward Effector 2: Hamstring
muscle

Response: Hamstring
stays relaxed, allowing
extension of leg
.)reciprocal inhibition(

Figure 13-7
 Flexsor Reflex and
the Crossed Extensor Reflex
Spinal cord 3a Ascending pathways to brain
2 Gray
matter
Spinal
Sensory White cord
neuron matter
1 Painful stimulus
.activates nociceptor

2 Primary sensory
neuron enters spinal
.cord and diverges

Nociceptor

Painful
stimulus
1
3a One collateral activates
ascending pathways for
sensation (pain) and postural
.adjustment (shift in center of gravity)

Figure 13-8, steps 1–3a

 Flexsor Reflex and
the Crossed Extensor Reflex
Spinal cord 3a Ascending pathways to brain
2 Gray
matter
Spinal
Sensory White cord
neuron matter
1 Painful stimulus
.activates nociceptor
3b
2 Primary sensory
neuron enters spinal
.cord and diverges

Nociceptor

Alpha motor
Painful neurons
stimulus
1
3a One collateral activates Extensors
ascending pathways for inhibited
sensation (pain) and postural ,Flexors contract
.adjustment (shift in center of gravity) moving foot
3b Withdrawal reflex pulls foot away away from
.from painful stimulus painful
.stimulus

Figure 13-8, steps 1–3b

 Flexsor Reflex and
the Crossed Extensor Reflex
Spinal cord 3a Ascending pathways to brain
2 Gray
matter
Spinal
Sensory White cord
neuron matter
1 Painful stimulus
.activates nociceptor 3c
3b
2 Primary sensory
neuron enters spinal
.cord and diverges

Nociceptor

Alpha motor
Painful neurons
stimulus
1
3a One collateral activates Extensors
ascending pathways for inhibited
Extensors contract
sensation (pain) and postural ,Flexors contract as weight shifts to
.adjustment (shift in center of gravity) moving foot .left leg
3b Withdrawal reflex pulls foot away away from
.from painful stimulus painful Flexors inhibited
.stimulus
3c Crossed extensor reflex supports
body as weight shifts away from
.painful stimulus

Figure 13-8, steps 1–3c

 Muscle Spindles
During a stretch reflex increased firing by the sensory neuron increases
.signaling by the alpha motor neuron causing the muscle to contract

Figure 13-4b
 Alpha-Gamma Coactivation
Gamma motor neurons inervate the ends of intrafusal fibers in
muscle spindles and keep the sensory neuron active even when the
muscle contracts
)a( .If gamma motor axons are cut, the spindle loses activity when muscle contracts

1 Alpha motor Muscle shortens

.neuron fires
Muscle
length
3
2 .Muscle contracts
2 Less stretch
4 Decrease on intrafusal Action potential

3 length
Action fibers
Stretch on center
of intrafusal fibers potentials
.is reduced of
spindle
Muscle shortens
sensory

ase
neuron
Firing rate of Time
4
spindle sensory cr e
.neuron decreases De ring
fi
 Alpha-Gamma Coactivation
When an alpha motor neuron fires the muscle contracts and shortens
but the gamma motor neuron will also fire and thus there will be
stretching at the spindle fiber to keep the tonic firing.
)b( .Alpha-gamma coactivation maintains spindle function when muscle contracts

1 Alpha motor
1
neuron fires and
gamma motor
1 2 .neuron fires Muscle Muscle shortens
length

2 Same
.Muscle contracts

3 length Intrafusal fibers do not slacken, so

2 .firing rate remains constant
Action
3 Stretch on centers potentials
of intrafusal fibers of
unchanged. Firing spindle
rate of afferent sensory Muscle shortens
neuron remains
1 neuron
m e
.constant
a
S ng Time

firi

Figure 13-5b, steps 1–3

Muscle Reflexs: response to load and overload
Decussate

Decussate
Segmental decussation