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===Stretch Reflexes===

===Stretch Reflexes===

Stretch reflexes have been included here as they play an important role in posture and balance of animals and are often overlooked as this reflex functions with such efficiency it is performed totally unconsciously.   

Stretch reflexes have been included here as they play an important role in posture and balance of animals and are often overlooked as this reflex functions with such efficiency it is performed totally unconsciously. Stretch reflexes are specifically used to control and coordinate the length of skeletal muscles which is particularly important in ensuring the smooth movement of limbs during locomotion.

During locomotion the body of the animal will regularly lean laterally as the limbs move. The stretch reflex ensures that during locomotion the contra-lateral muscles to the side of the lean (which will be in a stretched position) are contracted to ensure the posture of the body is brought back into a neutral position. In a similar manner to the golgi tendon organs, the stretch reflex sensory neurons are twisted around muscle spindles, called '''intrafusal'''muscle fibres. These specialised muscle fibres only constitute a small element of the muscle body.