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6 Normal reflex arc

The document outlines the normal reflex arc, sensory pathways, and movement pathways, detailing their components and functions. It describes reflex arcs as quick, involuntary responses to stimuli, while sensory pathways transmit information to the brain and movement pathways control muscle actions. Additionally, it includes examples of reflexes and sensory pathways, along with clinical relevance and spinal cord syndromes.

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11 views8 pages

6 Normal reflex arc

The document outlines the normal reflex arc, sensory pathways, and movement pathways, detailing their components and functions. It describes reflex arcs as quick, involuntary responses to stimuli, while sensory pathways transmit information to the brain and movement pathways control muscle actions. Additionally, it includes examples of reflexes and sensory pathways, along with clinical relevance and spinal cord syndromes.

Uploaded by

jaiganeshm1210
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Normal reflex arc.

Sensory pathways.
Movement pathways

SUSHMA MANI
XF23-18B
• Normal Reflex Arc
• A reflex arc is the neural pathway that mediates an automatic response
(reflex) to a stimulus. Reflex arcs are quick, involuntary, and protective
in nature.
• Components of a Reflex Arc:
1. Receptor:
1. A specialized structure (e.g., muscle spindle) detects a stimulus (e.g.,
stretch, pain, temperature).
2. Sensory (Afferent) Neuron:
1. Transmits the signal from the receptor to the spinal cord or brainstem.
3. Integration Center:
1. Located in the spinal cord or brainstem.
2. Simple reflexes involve a single synapse (monosynaptic), while complex
reflexes involve multiple interneurons (polysynaptic).
4. Motor (Efferent) Neuron:
1. Carries the response signal from the integration center to the effector
organ.
5. Effector:
1. The muscle or gland that carries out the reflex action.
• Examples of Reflexes:
• Monosynaptic Reflex:
• Example: Patellar reflex (knee-jerk): A simple stretch reflex.
• Polysynaptic Reflex:
• Example: Withdrawal reflex (hand withdrawal from heat), which involves
interneurons.
• Sensory Pathways
• Sensory pathways transmit information from peripheral sensory
receptors to the brain for processing. They are organized into three
neurons: first-order, second-order, and third-order neurons.
• Types of Sensory Pathways:
1. Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscal Pathway (DCML):
1. Function: Carries fine touch, vibration, and proprioception.
2. Pathway:
1. First-order neuron: From receptors to the dorsal column of the spinal cord, then to
the medulla.
2. Second-order neuron: From medulla (crosses to the opposite side) to the thalamus.
3. Third-order neuron: From thalamus to the somatosensory cortex (postcentral
gyrus).
2. Spinothalamic Tract:
1. Function: Transmits pain, temperature, and crude touch.
2. Pathway:
1. First-order neuron: From receptors to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.
2. Second-order neuron: From the dorsal horn (crosses midline) to the thalamus via
the spinothalamic tract.
3. Third-order neuron: From thalamus to the somatosensory cortex.
3. Spinocerebellar Pathways:
1. Function: Transmits proprioceptive information to the cerebellum for
coordination of movement.
2. Pathway:
1. Does not reach conscious perception.
2. Does not always cross or has partial crossing.
• Movement Pathways
• Movement pathways (motor pathways) control voluntary and involuntary
muscle movements. They involve upper motor neurons (UMNs) and lower
motor neurons (LMNs).
• Types of Movement Pathways:
1. Pyramidal Tract (Direct Pathway):
1. Responsible for voluntary movements.
2. Includes two sub-pathways:
1. Corticospinal Tract:
1. Origin: Primary motor cortex.
2. Pathway:
1. UMN: From motor cortex, descends through the internal capsule, midbrain, and
medulla.
2. Decussates (crosses) at the medullary pyramids.
3. Synapses with LMN in the anterior horn of the spinal cord.
3. Function: Controls fine motor skills, especially of limbs.
2. Corticobulbar Tract:
1. Pathway for cranial nerves controlling head and neck muscles.
2. Decussates at different brainstem levels.

2. Extrapyramidal Tract (Indirect Pathway):


1. Responsible for posture, balance, and coordination of movement.
2. Pathways include:
1. Reticulospinal tract (maintains muscle tone).
2. Vestibulospinal tract (postural adjustments).
3. Rubrospinal tract (fine motor control).
4. Tectospinal tract (head and neck reflexive movement).
• Motor Neuron Injury:
• UMN Lesion: Spastic paralysis, hyperreflexia, Babinski sign.
• LMN Lesion: Flaccid paralysis, hyporeflexia, muscle atrophy.
• Integration of Sensory and Motor Pathways
• Proprioception is critical for motor coordination, integrating sensory
feedback (via spinocerebellar pathways) with motor commands (via
corticospinal tracts).
• Reflex loops (e.g., stretch reflexes) ensure real-time adjustments to
maintain balance and posture.
• Reflex Arc with Examples
• Key Reflex Types and Clinical Tests:
• Stretch Reflex (Monosynaptic):
• Example: Patellar Reflex (knee-jerk).
• Stimulus: Tapping the patellar tendon stretches the
quadriceps muscle.
• Response: Quadriceps contracts, and the leg extends.
• Clinical Relevance: Absence suggests issues with the
femoral nerve or L2–L4 spinal cord segments.
• Withdrawal Reflex (Polysynaptic):
• Example: Stepping on a sharp object.
• Stimulus: Pain from a nociceptor.
• Response: Flexor muscles contract to pull the foot away,
while contralateral extensor muscles stabilize the posture
(crossed extensor reflex).
• Babinski Reflex:
• Normal in infants; abnormal (positive Babinski sign)
in adults indicates UMN damage.
• Sensory Pathways with Examples
• Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscal Pathway (Fine Touch,
Proprioception)
• Example: Feeling a smooth object.
• Clinical Relevance: Damage causes loss of fine touch and
proprioception, often seen in tabes dorsalis (syphilis
affecting spinal cord).
• Spinothalamic Tract (Pain, Temperature, Crude Touch)
• Example: Feeling a hot surface.
• Clinical Relevance: A lesion on one side of the spinal cord
(e.g., Brown-Séquard syndrome) causes:
• Loss of pain and temperature sensation contralaterally below
the lesion.
• Loss of fine touch and proprioception ipsilaterally.
• Spinocerebellar Pathway (Unconscious Proprioception)
• Example: Adjusting body position while walking.
• Clinical Relevance: Lesions result in ataxia (uncoordinated
movements), often observed in cerebellar disorders.
• Spinal Cord Syndromes:
1.Brown-Séquard Syndrome:
1. Hemisection of spinal cord:
1. Loss of proprioception and touch:
Ipsilateral.
2. Loss of pain and temperature:
Contralateral.
2.Anterior Cord Syndrome:
1. Loss of pain and temperature
sensation bilaterally.
2. Motor paralysis below the
lesion.

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