Question

Describe the spindle reflex – what is special about it anatomically? what else is it called? is it normally sensate or insensate? What stimulates it?

Answer 1

Spindle Reflex in another way called Myotatic reflex that is stimulated by stretch and they give information to CNS regarding length and rate of change of length in skeletal muscles. Stimulation of muscle spindles proceeds or simply leads in reflex contraction of the stretched muscles through a myotatic reflex. Deep muscles can yield the internal organ reflex, therefore, they are insensate. It is a monosynaptic reflex which gives automatic regulation of skeletal muscle length. When a muscle lengthens, the muscle spindle is stretched or simply we can say muscle spindle is lengthened and its nerve activity increases. When the spindle reflex is activated the impulse is sent from the stretched muscle spindle and the motor neuron divides so that the signal to contract can be sent to the lengthened muscle, while a signal to relax can be sent to the antagonist muscles.The spindle reflex is very important in holding and positioning the body.