12b
types of postural reflexes
and are affected largely by pyramidal pathways.
1.Local static reflexes,
As the name indicates,
the local static reflexes exert their effect on the
same limb from which the stimulus was initiated.
Some of the important
local static reflexes include:
1.Reflex control of antigravity muscle tone,
The most important of the local static reflexes is
2.Positive supporting reaction and
basic stretch reflexes controlling tone in those
extensor muscles which keep the body upright
(antigravity muscles).
is characterized by simultaneous reflex
contractions of both extensors and flexors of a
limb (i.e. both the protagonists and antagonists)
Muscle tone in antigravity muscles is best converting it into a solid rigid pillar.
illustrated in decerebrate preparations, where it
produces decerebrate rigidity.
plays an important role of steading the
ankle joint in standing position.
The hypertonicity in decerebrate preparations has
a characteristic extensor distribution, resulting in a
caricature (i.e. exaggerated mimicry) of the
normal posture. At the ankle joint, both dorsiflexion and plantar
flexion are possible, but neither of them is
desirable during standing position.
The dorsiflexion of the foot- would tip the body forward,
while plantar flexion- would throw the body backward.
The stabilization of ankle joint in intermediate
position is possible by
simultaneous contraction of extensor and flexors of
foot brought about by the positive supporting
reaction.
Afferent impulses from the stimulated skin of sole
(touch–pressure receptors) and the muscles
(proprioceptors) cause reflex contraction of
both flexor and extensor muscles acting on the ankle
joint, converting the leg and ankle joint into one solid
pillar.
are integrated at various levels in the CNS
-from the spinal cord to
-cerebral cortex
are elicited by gravitational pull
and involve
sustained contraction of muscles.
3.Negative supporting reaction.
refers to disappearance of positive
supporting reaction.
It is also an active phenomenon initiated by
stretch of the extensor muscles.
This helps the limbs to be used for activities other
than supporting the body weight.
Both these types of postural reflexes
Broadly, postural reflexes
are of 2 types:
Static reflexes
are primarily involved in
adjustments to displacements
produced by gravity.
These are of 3 types:
2.Segmental static reflexes and
are characterized by a bilateral reflex
response when stimulus is applied to one limb.
The best example of segmental static reflexes is
crossed extensor reflex response component of
withdrawal reflex.
In this reflex, a strong stimulus to one limb
produces flexion in the ipsilateral limb and
extension in the contralateral limb.
also called phasic reflexes,
are elicited by
acceleratory displacement of the body.
Statokinetic reflexes
They maintain a stable postural
background
for voluntary activity.
are characterized by a generalized effect from
3.General static reflexes. the many muscle groups in the body in response
to a stimulus that arises at one side of the body.
eg- numerous postural adjustments occur in
can be divided into 3 groups
response to changes in the head position.
Role of Crossed Extensor Reflex
in Control of Posture
2.Long-loop stretch reflexes and
1.Attitudinal or Statotonic Reflexes,
In the lower limb, this reflex allows one limb to
support the body while other is raised off the
3.Righting reflexes.
ground. -are initiated when the attitude of the body is
changed, i.e. while standing on an inclined plane.
eg when due to painful stimulus one limb is flexed
reflexly, the extensor of the other limb
compensates and sees to it that the body
is not thrown off balance.
Combined response of
are of 2 types: Role of tonic neck and labyrinthine reflexes
tonic neck and labyrinthine reflexes
The crossed extensor reflex also plays an
important role during walking.
they bring about a redistribution of
muscle tone in all the limbs and
Tonic labyrinthine reflexes Tonic neck reflexes. ensure that the body is not thrown off
During walking, on one side the flexors are active Under normal circumstances,
balance even when standing on an inclined
and the extensors are inhibited, while the reverse when the position of head is changed,
plane.
is seen on the other side. the tonic neck and labyrinthine reflexes are
simultaneously evoked
are produced in response to alteration in the such that they produce
position of head relative to the horizontal plane, algebraic sum of separate responses:
are produced in response to alteration in the In quadruped animals,
e.g. while standing on an inclined plane.
position of head relative to the body. tonic neck and labyrinthine reflexes occur
when standing on an inclined plane and
1. on dorsiflexion of the head 2.On ventroflexion of the head not while standing on a level plane.
These reflexes decrease or increase the tone of the
skeletal muscles of the limbs in accordance with the
attitude of head,
e.g. while standing on an inclined plane.
stimulus stretch of neck muscles. labyrinthine impulses produce increased labyrinthine impulses produce increased
In man, the tonic labyrinthine reflex
tone in extensors of all the four limbs, tone in the flexors of all the four limbs,
is active during - the erect posture.
while impulses from neck extend while impulses from neck flex forelimbs and
This is because in an erect posture,
pacinian corpuscles in the ligaments of the forelimbs and flex hind limbs. extend hind limbs.
the vestibular apparatus is thrown
for tonic labyrinthine reflex is gravity. Stimulus Receptors cervical joints, particularly atlanto-occipital joint -Therefore, the actual result observed is -Therefore, the actual result observed is
about 30° backwards.
and also muscle spindles of neck muscles. extension of forelimbs flexion of the forelimbs
-This results in slight flexion of the upper limbs and
(as both reflexes tend to increase extensor tone) (as both reflexes tend to increase flexor tone)
extension of the lower limbs.
and little change in hind limbs and little change in the hind limbs
-When the head is tilted 30° forwards, the
for these reflexes are in the otolith organs, (because two reflexes are exerting (because two reflexes are exerting antagonistic
Receptors Centre lies in the medulla oblongata. tonic labyrinthine reflex ceases
present in the labyrinthine apparatus. antagonistic influences). influences).
but the concomitant flexion of the neck
triggers the tonic neck reflex which has the same
effect on the limbs.
As in quadrupeds, in man too,
The afferent impulses generated from the Efferent Efferent paths are the long corticospinal tracts. the tonic neck and labyrinthine reflexes are
receptors (present in otolith organ) travel along Afferents. observed when the trunk is not upright.
the vestibular nerves.
for these reflexes are in the vestibular and reflex response However, similar to other postural reflexes, these
Centres
reticular nuclei present in the medulla oblongata. reflexes too can be suppressed voluntarily.
the descending tracts employed are obtained depending upon the position of the head
vestibulospinal and reticulospinal tracts which end Efferents in relation to the body is:
on α- motor neurons of spinal cord.
3.Turning of head sideways
1.Ventroflexion
The labyrinthine reflexes are particularly effective 2.Dorsiflexion
in extensor muscles.
Reflex response.
The impulses from labyrinthine exert the same
effect on all the four limbs. towards right or left
(turning down) of head (turning up) of head
causes produces
causes flexion of the ipsilateral limbs
extension of the forelimbs
flexion of the forelimbs and and
and flexion of the hind limbs. extension of contralateral limbs.
extension of the hind limbs.