SPINAL

SOMATIC MOTOR SYSTEM

Sri Redjeki
Faculty of Medicine
Universitas Kristen Indonesia
OUTLINE
1. INTRODUCTION
• CNS as integrating centers
• General functions of CNS
• Functional organization of Nervous System
2. Somatic motor system
3. Levels of motor control
4. Spinal somatic motor control
• Reflex arch – monosynaptic, polisynaptic
• Spinal somatic reflexes: withdrawal reflexes, reciprocal inhibition, stretch
reflex (myotatic reflex), crossed extensor reflex.
5. SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION: the Integrating Centers

Higher brain
functions

Adaptation to
environments:
Human nervous
• Biological
system
• Social

Spinal reflexes
INTRODUCTION: CNS General Function
INTRODUCTION: CNS General Function
ANATOMY SYSTEMS

CEREBRUM
Limbic
diencenphalon

midbrain

cerebellum Somatic FUNCTIONS

pons Motor
Autonomic
medulla

Spinal
cord Sensory
INTRODUCTION: Functional Organization of NS

SPINAL
REFLEXES
 SOMATIC MOTOR SYSTEM

SPINAL MOTOR SYSTEM SPINAL MOTOR SYSTEM

LEVELS of MOTOR CONTROL
High
Middle
Low
LEVELS of MOTOR CONTROL

CPG
 LEVELS of MOTOR CONTROL

Central Pattern Generators (CPG)

• Neural circuits that can produce rhythmic network activity in the
absence of timing cues from sensory feedback or descending
pathways. This activity underlies behaviors such as locomotion and
breathing. A variety of invertebrate and vertebrate preparations have
provided insights into how rhythmic motor patterns are generated at
the cellular and circuit level; how they are controlled by higher
centers, sensory feedback, and neuromodulatory input; and how
networks are coordinated to yield different behaviors.

Encyclopedia of neuroscience, 2009; pg:691-700

SPINAL SOMATIC MOTOR CONTROL
SPINAL SOMATIC MOTOR CONTROL
 SPINAL SOMATIC REFLEXES

Spinal somatic reflexes:

SPINAL SOMATIC REFLEXES
 SPINAL SOMATIC REFLEXES

Characteristic:
SPINAL SOMATIC REFLEXES
SPINAL SOMATIC REFLEXES

Withdrawal Reflex
 SPINAL SOMATIC REFLEXES

Stretch reflex and reciprocal inhibition

 SPINAL SOMATIC REFLEXES

Crossed extensor reflex

The reflex occurs when the flexors in the withdrawing limb contract
and the extensors relax, while in the other limb, the opposite occurs.
An example of this is when a person steps on a nail, the leg that is
stepping on the nail pulls away, while the other leg takes the weight of
the whole body.
SPINAL SOMATIC REFLEXES
 SUMMARY
• Spinal somatic motor system refers to the lowest level of somatic
motor activity that appear as involuntary movement or reflex.
• The circuit includes:
Sensory receptors – primary sensory neuron – (interneuron) – final motor
motor neuron – muscles (skeletal)
• Spinal somatic reflexes includes monosynaptic reflex - the muscle
stretch reflex or myotatic reflex, and polysynaptic reflexes.
• Spinal reflexes that involve muscles throughout the body are
important in maintaining body posture (postural reflexes)
References
1. Sherwood. Human Physiology: from cell to system
2. Silverthorn. Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach.
3. Ganong WF. Review of Medical Physiology.