TENDON REFLEX Meaning and
Definition
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Tendon reflex, also known as a stretch reflex or myotatic reflex, is a neural response that occurs when a skeletal muscle is stretched. It is a type of reflex arc that helps maintain proper muscle tension and coordination in the body. Tendon reflexes involve the activation of sensory receptors called muscle spindles, which are located within the muscle fibers and detect changes in muscle length.
When a muscle is stretched, the sensory receptors are activated and send signals to the spinal cord. The spinal cord then processes these signals and creates an immediate reflex action to counteract the stretching. This reflex action involves the contraction of the stretched muscle and the relaxation of its opposing muscle, ensuring that the muscle returns to its original length and maintaining appropriate joint angles.
Tendon reflexes are essential for maintaining balance and posture, as they help to prevent overstretching and protect the muscles and joints from potential damage. They also play a role in coordination and movement control, allowing for smooth and precise muscle contractions.
Clinically, tendon reflexes are commonly assessed as part of a neurological examination. The most well-known example of a tendon reflex is the patellar reflex, where tapping the patellar tendon just below the kneecap causes a contraction of the quadriceps muscle, leading to the characteristic "knee jerk" response. Evaluation of tendon reflexes can provide valuable information about the integrity of the nervous system and help diagnose certain neurological conditions.
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• Involuntary contraction of a muscle when its tendon of insertion is smartly tapped.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for TENDON REFLEX
- rendon reflex
- fendon reflex
- gendon reflex
- yendon reflex
- 6endon reflex
- 5endon reflex
- twndon reflex
- tsndon reflex
- tdndon reflex
- trndon reflex
- t4ndon reflex
- t3ndon reflex
- tebdon reflex
- temdon reflex
- tejdon reflex
- tehdon reflex
- tenson reflex
- tenxon reflex
- tencon reflex
- tenfon reflex
Etymology of TENDON REFLEX
The word "tendon" originates from the Old French word "tendun", which comes from the Latin word "tendum", meaning "sinew". The term "reflex", on the other hand, is derived from the Latin word "reflexus", which means "to bend back" or "to reflect". Combining these two words, the term "tendon reflex" refers to the involuntary contraction or movement of a muscle in response to the stretching of its associated tendon.
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