Autonomic Reflexes

M.O. Welcome MD, PhD

Department of Human Physiology,
College of Health Sciences,
Nile University of Nigeria, FCT - Abuja
 Outline

Definition

Reflex arc

Components of the reflex arc

Types of autonomic reflexes

Autonomic reflex is an involuntary response
(glandular or non-skeletal muscular response in
internal organs – heart, blood vessels, GIT, etc.)
following the action of a stimulus in the
autonomic nervous system (ANS).
The autonomic reflex is controlled by the reflex
arc – the neural circuit or pathway that controls
the reflex action in the ANS.
Afferent branch: usually begins with a receptor (e.g.
mechanoreceptor, baroreceptor), which is located in
the walls of the internal organ or vessel that senses a
change in stretch of the organs or vessel.
The receptor is associated with a sensory neuron that
has a cell body in a sensory ganglion (cranial nerve or
dorsal root ganglion adjacent to the spinal cord,
which projects into the CNS to initiate the reflex).
For instance, the baroreceptors from the carotid
arteries have axons in the glossopharyngeal nerve,
and those from the aorta have axons in the vagus
nerve.
Efferent branch: this is the output – starts with a
preganglionic fiber emerging from the lateral horn
neuron in the spinal cord or a cranial nucleus neuron
in the brain stem, to a ganglion, followed by the
postganglionic fiber projecting to the effector or
target.
1. Based on the location of the integrating site

Central Peripheral

• Spinal • Intra and extra-organ

• Brain stem
• Hypothalamic
• Cortical
Some locations of central integrating sites
 2. Viscero-visceral reflexes

• Changes in the activity of

internal organs during
stimulation of sensory
autonomic (visceral) receptors of
the same or other visceral organs
and / blood vessels
 3. Somato-visceral reflexes

• Changes in the activity of internal organs during

stimulation of somatic sensory receptors
• An example is the oculocardiac reflex “Danini-Aschner
reflex” – pressing on the eyeballs with the thumb leads
to a decrease in heart rate.
• Stimulation of proprioceptors (muscle, tendons, joint)
during physical activity leads to increased breathing,
heart activity and sweating – which are autonomic
control mechanisms required for sustained physical activity.
 Spinal reflexes include:
• changes in vascular tone resulting from changes in local
skin heat;
• sweating, which results from localized heat on the
surface of the body;
• intestinointestinal reflexes that control some motor
functions of the gut;
• peritoneointestinal reflexes that inhibit gastrointestinal
motility in response to peritoneal irritation;
• evacuation reflexes for emptying the full bladder or the
colon.
This includes the control of arterial
blood pressure and the heart rate.
The baroreceptor reflex is a classical
example.
Autonomic reflexes that initiate salibvary secretion
from the smell of appetizing food or the presence of
food in the mouth: signals pass via the vagal,
glossopharyngeal, and salivatory nuclei of the brain
stem.
The efferent signals are sent via the parasympathetic
nerves to the secretory glands of the mouth and
stomach, causing secretion of digestive juices.
Defecation reflex and gastrocolic reflex are types of
autonomic reflexes.
Micturition reflex
Reflex action that is associated with pancreatic
secretion, gallbladder emptying, kidney
excretion of urine, etc.
 Dagnini- Aschner-Dagnini reflex also called oculocardiac reflex
Ashner is characterized by a decrease in HR and PR when
reflex pressure is exerted on the eyeball by gently pressing
close the eyes with 2 or 3 fingers on the eyeballs for
20–30 seconds. The HR decreases by 6–8 bpm and
occurs within 3-10 seconds. PR decreases in 10
minutes. The technique is used in paroxysmal
tachycardia to reduce heart activities. The reflex is
mediated by nerve connections between the
ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal cranial nerve via
the ciliary ganglion and the vagus nerve of the
parasympathetic nervous system.
Goltz reflex Stimulation of the mechanoreceptors of the peritoneal
  cavity leads to decrease or stoppage of HR (cardiac
  arrest). This is due to vagus nerve activation. Such
conditions may occur during abdominal surgery
 Thomas-Roux This reflex (also called epigastric reflex or supraumbilical reflex or
reflex epigastric solar plexus reflex) occurs when pressure is exerted with fingers
  on the epigastrium – associated with a decrease in HR (bradycardia). HR
  decreases by about 4–12 bpm, while BP decreases by 5–10 mmHg. The
mechanism of this reflex is related to activation of the vagus nerve, which
exerts greater inhibitory action on the heart. The region of the epigastrium
is the area of location of the celiac plexus, also called the solar plexus as a
result of the radiating nerve fibers. Hence, the reflex is sometimes referred
to solaris reflex of Thomas-Roux.
   

   
 
     
 
 
Region of the solar plexus   
 
   
 
 
 Also called, Hering-Breuer deflationary reflex. The intentional
Hering- holding of breath at the peak of deep inspiration leads to decrease
Breuer reflex in HR. Normally the heart rate decreases by 4-6 bpm
Ortner’s reflex Decrease in HR following backward tilt of the head on sitting. The HR
decreases by 4-8 bpm
Proprioreceptor Stimulation of proprioceptors during exercise, for instance, leads to
reflex increase in HR due to decreased vagus nerve tone. Consequently,
there is an increase in blood flow. This stimulation of muscle or
tendon mechanoreceptors is due to activation of somatocardiac
sympathetic A-and C-reflexes by electrical stimulation of myelinated
(A) and unmyelinated (C) afferent fibers of the tibial nerve,
respectively

Cutaneous Mechanoreceptor or thermoreceptors of skin or when reflexly

thermoreceptor stimulated by a decrease in temperature (cold water) leads to
or inhibition of CVS activity
mechanorecept
or reflex
Assignment
What is “mass reflex”?
Describe the pathways and responses of the
pupillary light reflex.
Thank You