monosynaptic reflex

(noun)

Involves a single synapse between the sensory neuron that receives the information and the motor neuron that responds.

Related Terms

Examples of monosynaptic reflex in the following topics:

  • Spinal Reflexes

    • Spinal reflexes include the stretch reflex, the Golgi tendon reflex, the crossed extensor reflex, and the withdrawal reflex.
    • Spinal reflexes include the stretch reflex, the Golgi tendon reflex, the crossed extensor reflex, and the withdrawal reflex.
    • This reflex has the shortest latency of all spinal reflexes.
    • It is a monosynaptic reflex that provides automatic regulation of skeletal muscle length.
    • The crossed extensor reflex, is a withdrawal reflex.

  • The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

    • The somatic nervous system keeps the body adept and coordinated, both through reflexes and voluntary action.
    • The somatic system also provides us with reflexes, which are automatic and do not require input or integration from the brain to perform.
    • Reflexes can be categorized as either monosynaptic or polysynaptic based on the reflex arc used to perform the function.
    • Monosynaptic reflex arcs, such as the knee-jerk reflex, have only a single synapse between the sensory neuron that receives the information and the motor neuron that responds.
    • Polysynaptic reflex arcs, by contrast, have at least one interneuron between the sensory neuron and the motor neuron.

  • Components of a Reflex Arc

    • A reflex arc defines the pathway by which a reflex travels, from the stimulus to sensory neuron to motor neuron to reflex muscle movement.
    • The path taken by the nerve impulses in a reflex is called a reflex arc.
    • There are two types of reflex arcs: autonomic reflex arc, affecting inner organs, and somatic reflex arc, affecting muscles.
    • When a reflex arc consists of only two neurons, one sensory neuron, and one motor neuron, it is defined as monosynaptic.
    • Monosynaptic refers to the presence of a single chemical synapse.

  • Reflexes and Diagnosis

    • A reflex action, also known as a reflex, is an involuntary and nearly instantaneous movement in response to a stimulus.
    • Scientific use of the term "reflex" refers to a behavior that is mediated via the reflex arc; this does not apply to casual uses of the term "reflex".
    • Generally, decreased reflexes indicate a peripheral problem, and lively or exaggerated reflexes a central one.
    • While the reflexes above are stimulated mechanically, the term H-reflex refers to the analogous reflex stimulated electrically, and Tonic vibration reflex for those stimulated to vibration.
    • While 2+ is considered normal, some healthy individuals are hypo-reflexive and register all reflexes at 1+, while others are hyper-reflexive and register all reflexes at 3+.

  • Gastrointestinal Reflex Pathways

    • The digestive system functions via a system of long reflexes, short reflexes, and extrinsic reflexes from gastrointestinal (GI) peptides working together.
    • In addition, there are three overarching reflexes that control the movement, digestion, and defecation of food and food waste: the enterogastric reflex, the gastrocolic reflex, and the gastroileal reflex.
    • When this occurs, it is called a short reflex.
    • The gastrocolic reflex is the physiological reflex controlling the motility, or peristalsis, of the gastrointestinal tract.
    • The gastroileal reflex is a third type of gastrointestinal reflex.

  • Reflexive

  • Reflexive

  • Autonomic Reflexes

    • Autonomic reflexes are unconscious motor reflexes relayed from organs and glands to the CNS through visceral afferent signaling.
    • An example of referred pain from an autonomic reflex arc occurs when the bowel is suddenly distended.
    • The medulla's major ANS functions include respiration (the respiratory control centre, or "rcc"), cardiac regulation (the cardiac control centre, or "ccc"), vasomotor activity (the vasomotor centre or "vmc"), and certain reflex actions (such as coughing, sneezing, vomiting and swallowing).
    • General visceral afferent sensations are mostly unconscious visceral motor reflex sensations from hollow organs and glands that are transmitted to the CNS (see for a depiction of a typical nerve fiber, including general visceral afferent fibers).
    • While the unconscious reflex arcs are normally undetectable, in certain instances, they may send pain sensations to the CNS masked as referred pain.

  • Proprioceptor Regulation of Breathing

    • The Hering–Breuer reflex (also called the inflation reflex) is a reflex triggered to prevent over-inflation of the lungs.
    • This is called the inflation reflex.
    • Early physiologists believed this reflex played a major role in establishing the rate and depth of breathing in humans.
    • Early physiologists believed this reflex played a major role in establishing the rate and depth of breathing in humans.
    • The Hering–Breuer deflation reflex serves to shorten exhalation when the lung is deflated.

  • Proprioceptive Sensations

    • An unconscious reaction is seen in the human proprioceptive reflex, or Law of Righting.
    • It provides the sensory component of the Golgi tendon reflex.
    • The Golgi tendon reflex is a normal component of the reflex arc of the peripheral nervous system.
    • In a Golgi tendon reflex, skeletal muscle contraction causes the agonist muscle to simultaneously lengthen and relax.
    • This reflex is also called the inverse myotatic reflex, because it is the inverse of the stretch reflex.