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Somatic Spinal Reflexes

Somatic Spinal Reflexes

Somatic spinal reflexes are rapid, involuntary muscular responses to external stimuli that involve the somatic musculature and the spinal cord.
One of the most well-known somatic spinal reflexes is the stretch reflex, which is activated by the sudden stretching of a muscle. This reflex involves the activation of specialized sensory receptors called muscle spindles, which are located in the muscle tissue and detect changes in the length and speed of muscle contractions. When a muscle is suddenly...

Reflex Activity

Reflex Activity

A reflex activity is an automatic, involuntary response to specific stimuli. It is a part of our survival mechanism, designed to protect us from potential harm. For example, when a bright light suddenly shines into our eyes, we instinctively close them or look away. This is a simple reflex activity orchestrated by the nervous system without conscious thought or effort.
A reflex exam is a diagnostic procedure performed by a healthcare professional to evaluate the functionality of a patient's...

Motor Unit Stimulation

Motor Unit Stimulation

When the neuron of a motor unit fires an action potential, it triggers a series of events, leading to a twitch contraction in the muscle fibers. The process of excitation-contraction coupling is crucial in relaying the action potential to the muscle fibers.
The latent period of contraction marks the onset of excitation-contraction coupling, when the action potential propagates across the sarcolemma, preparing the muscle fibers for contraction. As the fibers enter the contraction phase, the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Ex vivo Mechanical Loading of Tendon

Ex vivo Mechanical Loading of Tendon

Published on: May 28, 2007

Tendon reflexes elicited using a computer controlled linear motor tendon hammer.

Mark Archambeault¹, Hubert de Bruin, Alan McComas

¹Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.

Conference Proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual Conference

|October 20, 2007

Summary

This study introduces a new system for measuring muscle reflexes using a precise servo-motor hammer. Impact velocity and tap depth significantly influence tendon reflex responses.

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Ex vivo Mechanical Loading of Tendon

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Published on: May 28, 2007

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Published on: April 18, 2011

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Biomedical Engineering
Motor Control

Background:

Tendon and spinal reflexes are crucial for motor control and balance.
Accurate and controlled mechanical stimulation is essential for studying these reflexes.
Existing methods may lack precision in stimulus delivery and measurement.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and validate a novel instrumentation system for precise tendon and spinal reflex analysis.
To investigate the influence of mechanical stimulus parameters on reflex responses.
To establish a reliable platform for future reflex studies.

Main Methods:

Utilized a commercial linear servo-motor as a precisely controlled tendon hammer.
Developed a LabVIEW-based program for stimulus control and M/H wave recording.
Investigated reflex responses in soleus and flexor carpi radialis muscles.
Varied stimulus parameters including velocity, duration, frequency, and excursion.

Main Results:

Demonstrated that impact velocity is a key determinant of tendon reflex amplitude.
Found reflex amplitude to be dependent on excursion depth, though less so than velocity.
Successfully recorded and measured M and H waves using the novel system.
Preliminary data highlights the system's capability to elicit and quantify reflexes.

Conclusions:

The novel servo-motor based system offers precise control over mechanical stimuli for reflex studies.
Impact velocity is a critical factor influencing the magnitude of tendon reflexes.
The system provides a robust platform for further investigation into reflex modulation and control.