Locomotion and Spinal Reflex

What is nociceptive reflex

Pain reflex or flexor reflex where stimulation of pain endings will cause flexion of affected muscle to WITHDRAW from stimulus

What is the pathway for flexor reflex

Passes interneuron of spinal cord → Spread to agonist muscle to withdraw → Inhibit antagonist (reciprocal inhibition)

What is after discharge

How long muscle contraction is sustained after reflex

What is crossed extensor reflex

Affected arm is flexed away from stimuli while the unaffected contralateral arm is extended 

Between flexor and extensor, which has a longer afterdischarge

Extensor reflex

What is positive supportive reaction

pressure on footpad in decerebrate animals causes limb to extend against pressure applied to balance

What type of lesion might this patient have

UMN lesion which causes hypertonia → Legs become stiff

What is magnet reaction

Pressure on one side causes extension in that direction

What is cord righting reflex

When animal is laid on its side it will move to try to get into standing position starting from the hea

What is body on body righting reflex

If the head cannot be moved back upright, the body may move upright first

Which phases of the gait cycles are both feet on the ground

Heel strike and pre-swing

Which muscles are used in heel strike

Tibialis anterior, gluteus maximus

What muscles are used in loading response

Quadriceps femoris

What muscles are used in midstance and terminal (heel off) stance

Triceps surae

What muscles are used in preswing

Deep plantarflexer, toe flexors, rectus femoris

What muscles are used in initial and mid swing

Contralateral abductor of hip, iliopsoas and rectus femoris

What muscles are used in terminal swing

Hamstring, quadriceps femoris, tibialis anterior

Which parts of the running cycle contributes to higher running speed

Float and swing phases

Describe the walk (and etiology)

Normal walk

Describe the walk (and etiology)

Short step and stride length + small step width; caused by spinal cord lesion (hypertonia and spastic)

Describe the walk (and its etiology)

Short step and stride length + variable step width; cerebellar lesion → Ataxia

Describe the walk (and the etiology)

Short step and stride length + small step width but similar to normal gait; Parkinsonism or senile gait

Describe the gait (and its etiology)

Very short step and stride + small step width; magnetic gait caused by frontal lobe lesion