What is the mechanism of stretch reflex?
When a muscle lengthens, the muscle spindle is stretched and its nerve activity increases. This increases alpha motor neuron activity, causing the muscle fibers to contract and thus resist the stretching. A secondary set of neurons also causes the opposing muscle to relax.
What does stretch reflex mean?
Medical Definition of stretch reflex : a spinal reflex involving reflex contraction of a muscle in response to stretching.
What is a stretch reflex example?
For example, this reflex occurs is when a person is standing in an upright position then begins to lean on one side. Some of the stretch reflexes are jaw jerk reflex, biceps reflex, brachioradialis reflex, triceps reflex, patellar reflex, and ankle jerk reflex. Synonyms: myotatic reflex.
What are the major components of a stretch reflex?
The pathway can be described as a ‘reflex arc’ which is made up of 5 components:
- A receptor – muscle spindle.
- An afferent fibre – muscle spindle afferent.
- An integration centre – lamina IX of spinal cord.
- An efferent fibre – α-motoneurones.
- An effector – muscle.
What do stretch receptors do?
muscle systems …has important sensory structures called stretch receptors, which monitor the state of the muscle and return the information to the central nervous system. Stretch receptors are sensitive to the velocity of the movement of the muscle and the change in length of the muscle.
What happens when you stretch?
When you stretch a muscle, your body responds by increasing blood flow to that area. The blood vessels around the targeted muscle widen to allow more blood to flow through, and your heart starts pumping more blood.
What causes stretch reflex?
The stretch reflex is activated (or caused) by a stretch in the muscle spindle. When the stretch impulse is received a rapid sequence of events follows. The motor neuron is activated and the stretched muscles, and its supporting muscles, are contracted while its antagonist muscles are inhibited (relaxed).
What is the purpose of the stretch reflex quizlet?
The stretch reflex (myotatic reflex) is a muscle contraction in response to stretching within the muscle. It is a monosynaptic reflex which provides automatic regulation of skeletal muscle length. When a muscle lengthens, the muscle spindle is stretched and its nerve activity increases.
Is stretch reflex somatic or autonomic?
Somatic reflexes are involved in the reflex control of skeletal muscles and as such there are many different types of somatic reflexes including scratching reflexes, withdrawal reflexes and stretch reflexes and tendon reflexes.
What causes the stretch reflex?
What are stretch receptors called?
Stretch receptors called Golgi tendon organs are found within the collagen fibers of tendons and within joint capsules. They are generally located in series with the muscle rather than the parallel arrangement of the intrafusal muscle fibers.
What detects stretch in the GI tract?
The vagus nerve is a key body-brain connection that monitors the digestive, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. Within the gastrointestinal tract, vagal sensory neurons detect gut hormones and organ distension.
What is the definition of stretch reflex?
The stretch reflex ( myotatic reflex) is a muscle contraction in response to stretching within the muscle. It is a monosynaptic reflex which provides automatic regulation of skeletal muscle length. When a muscle lengthens, the muscle spindle is stretched and its nerve activity increases.
What is a simple stretch reflex?
The stretch reflex is also referred to as the deep tendon reflex or myotatic reflex. It is a simple pre-programmed response by the human body in response to the muscle being passively stretched e.g. by a tendon hammer, or a sudden change in the ground surface.
How do you increase muscle flexibility?
The best way to increase muscle flexibility is through regular, gentle stretching. Increased flexibility is important because it can improve balance and coordination, improve posture, prevent injury while exercising, and shorten recovery time after an injury.
