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Reflex Arcs - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 15:53, 19 October 2011
, 15:53, 19 October 2011→Introduction
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
A reflex arc represents a mechanism by which a physiological function is automatically managed or regulated. Reflex arcs can be found throughout the body, ranging from [[Muscles_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Skeletal_Muscle|skeletal muscles]] to [[Muscles_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Smooth_Muscle|smooth muscle]] in glands. Reflex arcs are initiated via the excitation or stimulation of specific sensory cells that are directly connected to motor neurons thus enabling [[Spinal_Cord_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Upper_and_Lower_Motor_Neurons|motor nerve]] impulses to be automatically passed on to that particular muscle or gland. Therefore a basic reflex arc consists of sensory cells and their associated nerve fibers, motor nerve fibres and the ultimate muscle or gland. Some reflex arcs can include a coordination centre within the spinal cord or brain prior to stimulation of the motor nerve.
A reflex arc represents a mechanism by which a physiological function is automatically managed or regulated. Reflex arcs can be found throughout the body, ranging from [[Muscles_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Skeletal_Muscle|skeletal muscles]] to [[Muscles_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Smooth_Muscle|smooth muscle]] in glands. Reflex arcs are initiated via the excitation or stimulation of specific sensory cells that are directly connected to motor neurons thus enabling [[Spinal_Cord_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Upper_and_Lower_Motor_Neurons|motor nerve]] impulses to be automatically passed on to that particular muscle or gland. Therefore a basic reflex arc consists of sensory cells and their associated nerve fibers, motor nerve fibres and the ultimate muscle or gland. Some reflex arcs can include a coordination centre within the spinal cord or brain prior to stimulation of the motor nerve.
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A number of different sensory inputs are utilised by reflex arcs, including; skin receptors, muscle spindles, the retina, the [[Ear_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Inner_Ear|Organ of Corti]] and the olfactory mucosa. These sensory aspects of reflex arcs feed into two main types of reflex systems in the body; '''Autonomic''' reflexes and '''Somatic''' reflexes.
* Animals are divided into body segments, according to the segmental nature of the spinal cord.
* Animals are divided into body segments, according to the segmental nature of the spinal cord.