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    • Stretch Reflex (Myotatic Reflex)
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    Stretch Reflex (Myotatic Reflex)

    Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

    Last update: Oct 24th, 2022

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    The myotatic stretch reflex (MSR) is an involuntary muscle contraction that occurs in response to stretching of muscle tissue.

    image descriptionPatellar tendon tap (Stretch receptor stimulated):

    An image showing the hammer moving to fire the action potential of the Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the hammer moving to fire the action potential of the Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the hammer moving to fire the action potential of the Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the hammer moving to fire the action potential of the Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the firing of the action potential, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the firing of the action potential, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the firing of the action potential, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the firing of the action potential, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the firing of the action potential, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the firing of the action potential, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)

    image description1A afferent (sensory) neuron (Impulse carried to spinal cord):

    An image showing the action potential moving through sensory neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through sensory neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through sensory neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through sensory neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through sensory neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through sensory neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through sensory neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through sensory neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through sensory neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through sensory neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through sensory neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through sensory neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)

    image descriptionInterneuron (Inhibitory impulse carried to flexor neuron):

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    An image showing the action potential moving through interneuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through interneuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through interneuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)

    image descriptionAlpha motor neuron (Excitatory impulse carried to extensor neuron):

    An image showing the action potential moving through alpha motor neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through alpha motor neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through alpha motor neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through alpha motor neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through alpha motor neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through alpha motor neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through alpha motor neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through alpha motor neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through alpha motor neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing the action potential moving through alpha motor neuron, Myotatic Reflex, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)

    image descriptionExtensor muscles respond (Quadriceps contract):

    An image showing Myotatic Reflex of the muscle, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing Myotatic Reflex of the muscle, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing Myotatic Reflex of the muscle, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing Myotatic Reflex of the muscle, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)
    An image showing Myotatic Reflex of the muscle, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron)

    Overview:

    Test yourself image showing Myotatic Reflex of the muscle, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron) all numbered without answers
    Test yourself image showing Myotatic Reflex of the muscle, the image contains (1A afferent neuron, Flexor motor neuron, Extensor motor neuron) all numbered with answers below
    Swipe to show/hide the answers
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