1 / 14

Understanding Reflexes and Spinal Circuits: Sensory and Motor Systems Explained

This lecture delves into the mechanics of reflexes and spinal circuits within the central nervous system (CNS). Reflex actions, like sneezing or blinking, are involuntary responses triggered by stimuli, showcasing the intricate interplay between sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) neurons. We explore examples such as the cough and knee jerk reflex (patellar reflex), highlighting the roles of interneurons and monosynaptic connections. Understand how these reflexive actions protect the body and aid in adapting to our environment, emphasizing that not all movements are solely reflexive.

spike
Télécharger la présentation

Understanding Reflexes and Spinal Circuits: Sensory and Motor Systems Explained

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Lecture 4: Reflexes and Spinal Circuits

  2. Sensory systems CNS Movement Afferent pathway Efferent pathway

  3. Reflex... • A simple neural circuit example of sensory and motor systems. • Involuntary action or movement that occurs in response to a stimulus. For example: sneeze, cough, yawn, blink.

  4. Examples... • Cough, irritant enters the windpipe and we need to expel it through our mouth. • Sneeze, clear out nasal air passages of irritants and allergens.

  5. Sensory neurons: Also named afferent neurons: Carry messages to the CNS (brain and/or spinal cord).

  6. Motor neurons : Also named efferent neurons: Carry messages away from the CNS (brain and/or spinal cord).

  7. Each reflexive action usually involves more than two neurons between nerve cells (neurons).

  8. Interneurons • A nerve cell that forms synapses with sensory and motor neurons to integrate sensory input and motor output.

  9. Motor example:Knee Jerk Reflex (Patellar reflex)

  10. Knee Jerk reflex ... • Also named a monosynaptic reflex. (one connection, therefore two neurons)

  11. Monosynaptic reflex • Only one synapse in the neural circuit is needed to complete the reflex. • The tap below the knee causes the thigh muscle to stretch. • Information is sent to the spinal cord, where it’s sent back to the muscle and we get a reflex.

  12. Reflexes: • Serve as primitive responses to protect our bodies from danger. • Help us to adjust to our surroundings. Are all movements reflexive monosynaptic??

More Related