STRETCH REFLEX The stretch reflex (myotatic reflex) is a muscle contraction in response to stretching within the muscle.

It is a monosynaptic reflex which provides automatic regulation of skeletal muscle length. When a muscle lengthens, the muscle spindle is stretched and its nerve activity increases. This increases alpha motor neuron activity, causing the muscle fibers to contract and thus resist the stretching. A secondary set of neurons also causes the opposing muscle to relax. The reflex functions to maintain the muscle at a constant length. Gamma motoneurons regulate how sensitive the stretch reflex is by tightening or relaxing the fibers within the spindle. There are several theories as to what may trigger gamma motoneurons to increase the reflex's sensitivity. For example, gamma co-activation might keep the spindles taut when a muscle is contracted, preserving their stretch-sensitivity even as the muscle fibers become shorter. Otherwise the spindles would become slack and the reflex would cease to function. This reflex has the shortest latency of all spinal reflexes including the Golgi tendon reflex and reflexes mediated by pain and cutaneous receptors.

Examples A person standing upright begins to lean to one side. The postural muscles that are closely connected to the vertebral column on the side will stretch. Because of this, stretch receptors in those muscles contract to correct posture. Other examples (followed by involved spinal nerves) are responses to stretch created by a blow upon a muscle tendon: Jaw jerk reflex (CN V) Biceps reflex C5/C6 Brachioradialis reflex C6 Extensor digitorum reflex C6/C7 Triceps reflex C7/C8 Patellar reflex L2-L4 (knee-jerk) Ankle jerk reflex S1/S2

Another example is the group of fibers in the calf muscle, which synapse with motor neurons supplying muscle fibers in the same muscle. A sudden stretch, such as tapping the Achilles' tendon, causes a reflex contraction in the muscle as the spindles sense the stretch and send an action potential to the motor neurons which then cause the muscle to contract; this particular reflex causes a contraction in the soleus-gastrocnemius group of muscles. Like the patellar reflex, this reflex can be enhanced by the Jendrassik maneuver. There are basically four types of muscle fibers. This includes the slow twitch (ST) fibers, which are slow contracting and slow to fatigue. The fast twitch muscle fibers are sub-divided

into several sub-classes and include fibers that are fast contracting and resistant to fatigue (FRF), fast contracting but more easily fatigued (FEF), and fast contracting fast fatiguing white fibers (FFF). Supraspinal control The central nervous system can influence the stretch reflex via the gamma motoneurons, which as described above control the sensitivity of the reflex. Inhibitory signals arrive at gamma neurons through the lateral reticulospinal tract from Brodmann area 6,

the paleocerebellum and thered nucleus. Facilitatory signals arrive through the ventral reticulospinal tract from Brodmann area 4, the neocerebellum and thevestibular nucleus. http://id.scribd.com/doc/34343937/Pr-reflek-Pada-Manusia http://id.scribd.com/doc/49898853/REFLEKS-PADA-MANUSIA http://soeharmiekav45.wordpress.com/2010/05/19/gerak-reflek/ 2.GOLGI TENDON ORGAN

The Golgi organ (also called Golgi tendon organ, tendon organ, neurotendinous organ or neurotendinous spindle) is a proprioceptive sensory receptor organ that is located at the insertion of skeletal muscle fibers into the tendons of skeletal muscle. It provides the sensory component of the Golgi tendon reflex. The Golgi organ should not be confused with the Golgi apparatus, which is an organelle in the eukaryotic cell, or the Golgi stain, which is a histologic stain for neuron cell bodies. However, all of these structures are named after the Italian physician Camillo Golgi. The body of the organ is made up of strands of collagen that are connected at one end to the muscle fibers and at the other merge into the tendon proper. Each tendon organ is innervated by a single afferent type Ib sensory nerve fiber that branches and terminates as spiral endings around the collagen strands. The Ib afferent axon is a large

diameter, myelinated axon.

Each

neurotendinous

spindle

is

enclosed

in

a fibrous

capsule which contains a number of enlarged tendon fasciculi (intrafusal fasciculi). One or more nerve fibres perforate the side of the capsule and lose their medullary sheaths; the axis-cylinders subdivide and end between the tendon fibers in irregular disks or varicosities (see figure). Mammalian tendon organ showing typical position in a muscle (left), neuronal connections in spinal cord (middle) and expanded schematic (right). The tendon organ is a stretch receptor that signals the force developed by the muscle. The sensory endings of the Ib afferent are entwined amongst the musculotendinous strands of 10 to 20 motor units.

Function When the muscle generates force, the sensory terminals are compressed. This stretching deforms the terminals of the Ib afferent axon, opening stretch-sensitive cation channels. As a result, the Ib axon is depolarized and firesnerve impulses that are propagated to the spinal cord. The action potential frequency signals the force being developed by the 10 to 20 motor units within the muscle. This is representative of whole muscle force. The Ib sensory feedback generates spinal reflexes and supraspinal responses which control muscle contraction. Ib afferents synapses with interneurons that are located within the spinal cord that also project to the brain cerebellum and cerebral cortex. The autogenic inhibition reflex assists in regulating muscle contraction force. It is associated with the Ib. Tendon organs signal muscle force through the entire physiological range, not only at high strain.[1][2] During locomotion, Ib input excites rather than inhibits motoneurons of the receptor-bearing muscles and it also affects the timing of the transitions between the stance and swing phases of locomotion.[3] The switch to autogenetic excitation is a form of positive feedback.[4] The ascending or afferent pathways to the cerebellum are the dorsal and

ventral spinocerebellar tracts. They are involved in the cerebellar regulation of movement.

A stretch reflex, also referred to as a deep tendon reflex or myotatic stretch reflex, is the muscular response to stretching. When the muscle is stretched, the muscle spindles also stretch. Muscle spindles are the receptors within the muscle which detect a change of length. These receptors send a signal to the central nervous system, the brain and spinal cord, to regulate the contraction. The stretch reflex is activated to resist this lengthening which causes the large muscles surrounding the area contract or tighten. Sudden stretches cause a stronger reflex. The stretch reflex is a protective response to avoid injury to the muscles by limiting the amount of lengthening. It also helps regulate and maintain muscle tone. Muscle tone is the continuous contraction of muscles which allows the body to maintain positions and posture. There are two stages of a stretch reflex. The static reflex occurs as long as the muscle is being stretched. The dynamic reflex is the initial response to the stretch. A dynamic response lasts only a few moments but can be very powerful to protect the muscle from injury. The reflex diminishes as the tension is released. Examples A person standing upright begins to lean to one side. The postural muscles that are closely connected to the vertebral column on the side will stretch. Because of this, stretch receptors in those muscles contract to correct posture. Other examples (followed by involved spinal nerves) are responses to stretch created by a blow upon a muscle tendon: Jaw jerk reflex (CN V) Biceps reflex C5/C6 Brachioradialis reflex C6 Extensor digitorum reflex C6/C7 Triceps reflex C7/C8 Patellar reflex L2-L4 (knee-jerk) Ankle jerk reflex S1/S2 Another example is the group of fibers in the calf muscle, which synapse with motor neurons supplying muscle fibers in the same muscle. A sudden stretch, such as tapping the Achilles' tendon, causes a reflex contraction in the muscle as the spindles sense the stretch and send an action potential to the motor neurons which then cause the muscle to contract; this particular reflex causes a contraction in the soleus-gastrocnemius group of muscles. Like the patellar reflex, this reflex can be enhanced by the Jendrassik maneuver. There are basically four types of muscle fibers. This includes the slow twitch (ST) fibers, which are slow contracting and slow to fatigue. The fast twitch muscle fibers are sub-divided into several subclasses and include fibers that are fast contracting and resistant to fatigue (FRF), fast contracting but more easily fatigued (FEF), and fast contracting fast fatiguing white fibers (FFF).

When a muscle is working at an optimal length, contractions become more efficient. Stretching is important to maintain proper muscle length and avoid injury and pain conditions. It also aids in the removal of toxins and wastes from the muscles while increasing the circulation and supply of oxygen and nutrients the muscles need to work effectively. Stretching should be performed before and after physical activities, but can be beneficial to minimize morning stiffness and decrease daily tension before bedtime. It can also help release muscular tension build up to decrease things like muscle spasms which can increase pain symptoms. Improper stretching techniques can elicit a stronger stretch reflex. Stretching beyond capabilities or performing a stretch too fast can enhance the muscles protective reaction. This can increase the chances of injury to the muscle. Bouncing with stretch can also increase this response. Though the stretch reflex is a defence mechanism, it can be used to enhance flexibility. Holding a stretch beyond this protective mechanism can enhance muscle lengthening. Increasing the time of stretch and allowing the stretch reflex to relax also encourages the surrounding musculature to benefit from this lengthening, thus providing a overall increase in flexibility of the muscle group. Once this reflex relaxes it is possible to stretch the muscle a little further to optimize muscle elasticity and range of motion. The Golgi tendon organ is located where muscle fibers of skeletal muscle meet tendons. Made up of strands of collagen, the organ also contains nerve tissue. The major function of the Golgitendon organ is to sense muscle tension when a muscle is contracted, sending signals to thebrain about how much force is being exerted and where. This important sensory organ was discovered by and named after Camillo Golgi, an Italian physician who made numerous discoveries about the function of the human nervous system in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Classified as a proprioceptive sensory receptor, the Golgi tendon organ belongs to a family of structures that send information to the brain about how joints are functioning, including the angles at which they are held, the length of the muscle at any given time and how much tension is placed on the joint or the muscle. Other proprioceptive sensory receptors includemuscle spindles. At one time, it was believed that the Golgi tendon organ responded only to high levels of muscle tension in order to protect muscles from overexertion. These organs do cause a phenomenon known as "weightlifting failure," in which the muscle collapses when the tension exerted is likely to cause damage. The theory that they respond only to high tension is incorrect, though. Studies done in 1967 proved that the Golgi organ responds to all levels of muscle tension, from slight to extreme. The action of the Golgi tendon organ is of particular interest to weight lifters who wish to steadily increase the amount of weight they can handle. Some believe that forcing the muscles to do additional repetitions on very heavy weights could actually "train" the muscles to fail in future lift attempts. Others believe, and some research indicates, that this is not likely, because of the way the Golgi tendon organ responds to muscle tension and reports this information to the brain. In addition to the Golgi tendon organ, Camillo Golgi's name has been attached to a number of other nerve structures that he discovered. Among these are Golgi-Mazzoni corpuscles. Also nerve receptors, Golgi-Mazzoni corpuscles are located in the fingertips and serve to

enclose nerve endings in this highly sensitive area of the body. They are found beneath the skin and respond to heat, cold, pressure and other sensory stimuli. Though they are very small, they are complex structures, consisting of connective tissue, nerve cells and protective fluids. Similar structures elsewhere in the body are referred to as Pacinian corpuscles.

* Golgi tendon organ: The easiest way to describe the Golgi Tendon so that its function is better understood is to compare it to a cars alarm system. Really, the cars alarm system is designed to sense changes in its surroundings just as the Golgi Tendon does. Both function as a safety mechanism and when they are breached they both issue their respective alarms. The cars alarm is audible and the Golgi Tendon Organ is to sensory. ** Proprioceptive (Proprioceptors): Means sense of self. In the limbs, the proprioceptors are sensors that provide information about joint angle, muscle length, and tension, which is integrated to give information about the position of the limb in space. The muscle spindle is one type of proprioceptor that provides information about changes in muscle length. The Golgi tendon organ is another type of proprioceptor that provides information about changes in muscle tension.