RELEXES – The Need-to-knows:

Instruction: Answer the questions below (via book or internet I don’t care, just do the first important
step: familiarize yourself with the topic.) See answers in page 2 after doing your own research.

I. Define reflexes
II. Describe the functional components of a typical reflex arc
III. Classify the different reflexes as to:
a. Location of receptor: superficial or deep tendon
b. No. of synaptic connections or complexity of circuit: monosynaptic (one synaptic
connection) or polysynaptic (two to several hundred synaptic connections)
c. Destination of the interneuron in the spinal cord: ipsilateral, contralateral
d. Processing site: spinal or cranial reflexes
e. Location of effector organ or motor response: somatic or visceral
f. Development: innate or acquired
IV. Describe some primitive reflexes
V. Evaluate the effects of a lesion on any component part of the reflex arc
 I. Reflex is a fast, involuntary, unplanned sequence of actions that occurs in response to a
particular stimulus.
It could be:
Spinal reflex – when integration occurs in the spinal cord’s grey matter.
Cranial reflex – integ. occurs in brainstem
Somatic reflex – involves contraction of skeletal muscles
Autonomic or visceral reflex – response of smooth muscles, cardiac muscles, & glands

II. The 5 Components of the Reflex Arc are:

1. Receptor
2. Afferent/ sensory neuron
3. Center of integration/ Integration center
4. Efferent neuron/ motor neuron
5. Effector

III. Classification of reflexes

Reflex (all makes use of Classification Afferent nerve Center (Cranial Efferent Response
reflex hammer unless of Reflex center or spinal nerve
otherwise indicated) cord segment)
Corneal (cotton) Polysynaptic Opthalmic division of Spinal Facial nerve Blinking
Superficial trigeminal nerve (V1) trigeminal (CN VII)
Somatic nucleus
Pupillary light Polysynaptic Optic nerve (CN II) Pretectal Oculomotor Contstriction of both
(penlight) Superficial nucleus nerve (CN pupils
Somatic III)
Gag/Vomiting Polysynaptic Glossopharyngeal Solitary nucleus Vagus nerve Elevation of soft palate,
(tongue depressor) Superficial nerve (CN IX) (CN X) bilateral contraction of
Somatic pharyngeal ms.
Jaw jerk Monosynaptic Trigeminal nerve (CN Trigeminal Trigeminal Slight jerking of mandible
Deep tendon V) motor nucleus nerve (CN upwards
reflex V)
Somatic
Abdominal (blunt Polysynaptic Thoracic nerve T8-T12 Thoracic Contraction of abdominal
probe) Superficial nerve ms.
Somatic
Knee jerk Monosynaptic Femoral nerve L2-L4 Femoral Contraction of quads,
Deep tendon nerve extension at knee jt.
reflex
Somatic
Ankle jerk Monosynaptic Tibial nerve S1, S2 (Primarily Tibial nerve Contraction of calf ms.,
Deep tendon S1) plantar flexion of foot
reflex
Somatic
Plantar Polysynaptic Tibial nerve L5, S1 Tibial nerve Inversion & dorsiflexion
Superficial of ankle with flexion
Somatic (curling) of all toes

*Classification of reflex:
[Notice that all are somatic. And it’s either the reflex is (A) polysynaptic, superficial OR (B) monosynaptic, DTR!]
[Notice also that the afferent nerve is the same as the efferent nerve for each reflex, except for the first 3 in purple!]
No. of synaptic connection: monosynaptic or polysynaptic
Location of receptor: superficial or deep tendon reflex
Location of effector organ: somatic or visceral
IV. Primitive reflexes:
 Babinski sign – in infants normal, disappears by 2 yrs. Dorsiflexion of the big toe and
fanning of other toes on stimulation of the sole, occurring in lesions of the pyramidal
tract and is a pathognomonic feature of UMN paralysis.
 Extensor thrust reflex – in infants up to 2 mos. Extension of flexed leg when the sole of
the foot is stimulated.
V. ASK IN CLASS: What would be the manifestation or effect of a lesion in any component of the
reflex arc?
1) What would be the effect of a lesion in the receptor component of the reflex arc?
2) What would be the effect of a lesion in the afferent/ sensory neuron component of the
reflex arc?
3) What would be the effect of a lesion in the integration center component of the reflex arc?
4) What would be the effect of a lesion in the efferent neuron/ motor neuron component of
the reflex arc?
5) What would be the effect of a lesion in the effector component of the reflex arc?
READ THIS:
 Grading of reflexes. The designation are:
(Note: the not-highlighted positive signs is the muscle tone grading equivalent)
0 : absent reflex
1+ : trace (barely detectible response is elicited), or seen only with reinforcement
2+ : normal
3+ : brisk than usual
4+ : non-sustained clonus (i.e. repetitive vibratory movements)
5+ : sustained clonus
Clonus is an indication of UMN problem. It is a repetitive, usually rhythmic, and
variably sustained reflex response elicited by manually stretching the tendon. This
clonus may be sustained as long as the tendon is manually stretched or may stop after
up to a few beats despite continued stretch of the tendon. In this case it is useful to
note how many beats are present.
 Decreased reflexes should lead to suspicion that the reflex arc has been affected. This
could be the sensory nerve fiber but may also be the spinal cord gray matter or the
motor fiber. This motor fiber (the anterior horn cell and its motor axon coursing
through the ventral root and peripheral nerve) is termed the "lower motor neuron"
(LMN). LMN lesions result in decreased reflexes. The descending motor tracts from the
cerebral cortex and brain stem are termed the "upper motor neurons" (UMN). Lesions
of the UMNs result in increased reflexes at the spinal cord by decreasing tonic
inhibition of the spinal segment.
Other stuff you need to know about:

Reflex Main Spinal Nerve Roots Involved

Biceps C5, C6
Brachioradialis C6
Triceps C7
Patellar L4
Achiles Tendon S1

 Stretch reflex a.k.a. myotatic reflex

 Reciprocal inhibition
 Triceps jerk – radial nerve
 Biceps jerk – musculocutaneous nerve
 Knee jerk – femoral nerve
 Ankle jerk – tibial nerve
 Anal reflex
 Cremasteric reflex
 Clasp-knife reflex
 Flexor or Withrawal reflex
 Crossed extensor reflex
 Visceral reflexes: Defacation, Micturition, Baroreceptor, Bainbridge reflex
 Visceral pain, referred pain