Motor control - Reflexes

19 important questions on Motor control - Reflexes

Which 3 reflexes exist?

1. Myotatic reflex (stretch sensor)
2.  Inverse myotatic reflex (stretch sensor)
3. Nociceptive reflex (pain sensor)

What is the problem with stretch sensors? And how is this solved?

For optimal function, the stretch sensors should be kept at a constant length because you want the stretch sensor only to be active when the change is very small (not when you just move your arm).

Solution: stretch sensors are attached to the muscle fiber and this muscle fiber will adapt the length of the sensor to the changes in length of the entire muscle

Which motor neuron innervates the intrafusal muscle fibers (stretch sensors)

y-motor neuron
--> part of the motor neuron pool
--> separate y motor neuron classes for tonic and phasic stretch receptors
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What is the function of the y motor neuron?

Controls the length and sensitivity of the stretch sensor

What is α/γ coactivation?

The alpha (innervates 'normal' muscle fibers) and y motor neurons do the same thing --> sensor length does not change

What if the α-motor neurons decrease activity?

1. This causes active relaxation of the extrafusal muscle
2. Passive elongation along entire spindle = sensor lengthens too
3. Y-motor neuron decreases activity
4. Active relaxation of intrafusal muscle to compensate

When does compensation with the y-motor neurons happen?

If the tense of a muscle is caused by an internal stimulus. If there is an external stimulus (heavy bucket, nail etc) the stretch sensors are not compensated (y motor neurons are not active) --> stretch of the sensor which increases drive of all motor neurons in the pool --> muscle shortening, then un-stretching of sensor and drive diminishes.

--> gamma loop

What happens at the same time when the stretch sensor signals?

It signals the antagonist (inhibitory) which results in the opposite effect for the other muscle

--> via inhibitory interneuron (projection to the alpha motor neuron is direct)
--> Sherrington's law of reciprocal innervation

What is a monosynaptic reflex?

There is a direct connection between the stretch sensor and alpha motor neuron (one synapse_

What is the difference between the inverse myotatic and myotatic reflex?

Inverse
- in series with muscle fibers
- bisynaptic
- present in tendon (Golgi tendon organ) --> very hard to stretch tendon fibers
- causes relaxation of muscle fibers (and excitation of antagonist)
- projects to alpha and gamma motor neuron

myotatic
- parallel with muscle fibers
- monosynaptic 
- present in muscle
- causes contraction of muscle fibers (and inhibition of antagonist)
- projects to alpha neuron

What is the function of the inverse myotatic reflex?

Protection. Prevents tearing of the muscle or tendon or ripping of the tendon

What is the function of the myotatic reflex?

Body posture and movement

What happens if the stretch sensor of the inverse myotatic reflex is activated?

The drive of all motor neurons in the pool decreases through an inhibitory interneuron. The muscle lengthens, the sensor unstretches and the inhibition decreases.

At the same time, the antagonist is excited through an excitatory interneuron (Sherrington's law)

Is the myotatic or inverse myotatic reflex more sensitive?

The myotatic reflex (tendons are harder to stretch)

Where are the nociceptive reflex sensors (pain sensors) located?

Dermis and epidermis
--> free nerve endings with nociceptors

What is characteristic for the nociceptive reflex?

Multisegmental, because other segments have to be stimulated too (spread over spinal cord)

--> moves one limb and also activates the other limb!
--> multisynaptic
--> bilateral

What is supraspinal control?

Spinal reflex circuitry

Where is the central pattern generator useful for?

Rhytmic and/or repetetive motor actions (walk, run, swim etc), but also for interceptive motor action (catch a ball, move out of the way)

What is the function of direct supraspinal control?

For complex motor actions (violin playing, writing --> distal extremities).

most supraspinal control is indirect (interneurons)

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