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Stretch reflexes in human masseter

A V Poliakov1, T S Miles

  • 1Department of Physiology, University of Adelaide, Australia.

The Journal of Physiology
|April 15, 1994
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Jaw muscle stretch reflexes show both short and long-latency responses, contrary to previous claims. Slower stretches reveal longer-latency excitation, masked by disfacilitation in brief stretches.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Human Physiology
  • Motor Control

Background:

  • The stretch reflex in human muscles typically involves both short-latency (monosynaptic) and long-latency (polysynaptic) excitatory components.
  • Previous research suggested that jaw-closing muscles, specifically the masseter, only exhibit a short-latency response to stretch.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-examine the stretch reflex in human jaw-closing muscles.
  • To investigate the influence of stretch rate and duration on masseter muscle reflex responses.
  • To clarify the discrepancy regarding the presence of long-latency stretch reflexes in jaw muscles.

Main Methods:

  • Controlled mechanical stretches of varied rates and durations were applied to jaw-closing muscles.
  • Electromyogram (EMG) activity of the masseter muscle was recorded.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Biting force was measured to assess functional output.
  • The role of dental mechanoreceptors was assessed using local anesthesia.

    • Main Results:

    • Very brief, rapid stretches elicited a prominent short-latency EMG response but little to no long-latency excitation.
    • Slower stretches produced both short- and longer-latency EMG responses, similar to limb muscles.
    • The absence of long-latency responses in prior studies was attributed to reflex disfacilitation at the end of brief stretches.
    • The stretch-induced increase in force was inversely related to the velocity of the stretch.
    • Blocking dental mechanoreceptors had minimal effect on the stretch reflex response.

    Conclusions:

    • The human masseter muscle exhibits both short- and long-latency stretch reflex components.
    • The duration and rate of muscle stretch critically influence the manifestation of these reflex components.
    • Reflex disfacilitation can mask the long-latency response, explaining previous findings.
    • Dental mechanoreceptors play a minor role in the jaw muscle stretch reflex.