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[Masticatory muscles. Part VIII. Reflexes in the masticatory system]
H W van der Glas1, F Bosman, A van der Bilt
1Vakgroep Mondziekten, Kaakchirurgie en Bijzondere Tandheelkunde van de Universiteit Utrecht.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Tandheelkunde
|April 4, 2002
Summary
Jaw reflexes, both exteroceptive and proprioceptive, involve involuntary muscle responses to stimuli. Their strength is modulated by motor tasks, impacting functions like chewing and posture control.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Biomechanics
Context:
- The masticatory system utilizes various receptors for reflex activity.
- Exteroceptive reflexes, triggered by mechanical stimuli like dental taps, affect jaw-closing muscles.
- Proprioceptive reflexes, such as the jaw-jerk reflex, involve muscle spindle feedback.
Purpose:
- To investigate the characteristics of exteroceptive and proprioceptive reflexes in the masticatory system.
- To understand how these reflexes contribute to motor control during tasks like chewing.
Summary:
- Mechanical stimulation of incisors elicits specific patterns of jaw muscle activity, including inhibitory and excitatory reflexes mediated by periodontal mechanoreceptors.
- Muscle stretch, detected by muscle spindles, triggers the jaw-jerk reflex, a proprioceptive response.
- The amplitude of both exteroceptive and proprioceptive reflexes is adaptable and task-dependent.
Impact:
- These reflex mechanisms are crucial for maintaining physiological functions such as posture and mastication.
- Understanding these reflexes provides insights into neuromuscular control of the jaw.
- This research contributes to the broader understanding of sensory-motor integration.