Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Dr.
C.R.Houser
SPINAL CORD II: REFLEXES OF THE SPINAL CORD
Goals
After studying your lecture notes and reading assignments, you should be able to:
1. Explain, by making a drawing and using the correct terminology, the circuitry underlying deep
tendon reflexes that are tested during most neurological exams.
2. Understand the basic circuitry and functions associated with the Golgi tendon organ and flexor
withdrawal reflex.
3. Appreciate the extensive functional circuitry within the spinal cord.
Reading:
Reflexes: Nolte, Chapt. 9, Sensory Receptors.., pp. 210-220 / 215-224; Chapt.10, Spinal Cord,
pp.234-238 / 238-242.
I. BASIC SPINAL CORD REFLEXES
Overview
The circuitry for several important reflexes is present within the spinal cord. While these reflexes
can be modulated by descending influences from more rostral brain regions, they do not require the
participation of higher centers for their operation. One important class of spinal cord reflexes
utilizes only one synapse between the sensory and motor elements (a monosynaptic reflex).
However, most reflexes involve one or more interneurons within the pathway (polysynaptic
reflexes).
Background information
Two classification schemes have been used to describe and categorize the axons within a
peripheral nerve. It is useful to be aware of these systems now because the sensory and motor
endings that are utilized in the various spinal reflexes are supplied by fibers of different sizes, and
these fibers are identified by the terminology of these classification systems. One classification (by
letters, Groups A-C) includes both sensory and motor fibers and considers the degree of myelination
as well as the diameter of the fibers. In general, the smallest fibers (Group C) are unmyelinated
whereas the larger fibers (Groups A-B) are myelinated and have the highest conduction velocities. A
second classification (by Roman numerals, Groups I-IV) considers only the sensory fibers. The
following table is provided for reference and not for memorization.
Classification of Peripheral Nerve Fibers (from Nolte, 2002)
During most normal movements, both alpha and gamma motor neurons are activated at the same
time (alpha-gamma coactivation). Under these circumstances, the muscle spindle remains functional
and can respond to changes in load during the movement.
D. Roles of the Muscle Spindle in Motor Control
Despite the elegance of this receptor, its precise function in motor control remains unclear. It is
certainly the basic substrate for the stretch reflex. Normally, it serves as a negative feedback system
that monitors muscle length. The muscle spindle and its circuitry are likely to:
1. Participate in automatic adjustments of the body to maintain posture;
2. Compensate for changes in load during motor activity; and
3. Contribute to normal muscle tone.
4. Contribute to sense of limb position and movement (proprioception and kinesthesia).
E. Summary:
1. Muscle spindles are located in parallel with regular muscle fibers;
2. Primary afferent fibers of the spindle respond to
a. Stretch of the regular muscle fibers; and
b. Contraction of the polar ends of the spindle (intrafusal muscle fiber).
3. Stimulation of the primary afferent fibers results in
a. Facilitation of the motor neurons to that same muscle through a monosynaptic reflex; and
b. Inhibition of the motor neurons of the antagonists.
4. Gamma motor neurons receive input from descending (supraspinal) motor systems and
cutaneous afferents. These motor neurons exert their effects through the stretch reflex
pathway but do not contribute directly to muscle tension.
2. Golgi Tendon Organ Reflex
A. Golgi tendon organs are found near the tendinous
ends of skeletal muscles and are located in series with
regular muscle fibers. Information from these
receptors is conveyed to the spinal cord by Ib afferent
fibers.
B. The circuitry involves:
1. disynaptic inhibition of motor neurons to
homonymous and synergistic muscles; and
2. disynaptic excitation of motor neurons to the
antagonists.
C. The Golgi tendon organ responds to muscle tension.
It is very sensitive to muscle contraction but also
may respond to extreme muscle stretch.
Purves, 16.13