An individual suffers a disease that destroys all the muscle spindles in his quadriceps muscle. What will happen when this individual undergoes a patella tendon reflex test? O his knee jerk response will be highly exaggerated O his knee jerk response will be weak O his knee jerk response will be absent O his knee jerk response will vary with body posture
An individual suffers a disease that destroys all the muscle spindles in his quadriceps muscle. What will happen when this individual undergoes a patella tendon reflex test? O his knee jerk response will be highly exaggerated O his knee jerk response will be weak O his knee jerk response will be absent O his knee jerk response will vary with body posture
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
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![**Understanding the Impact of Muscle Spindle Destruction on the Knee Jerk Reflex Test**
An individual suffers a disease that destroys all the muscle spindles in his quadriceps muscle. What will happen when this individual undergoes a patella tendon reflex test?
- His knee jerk response will be highly exaggerated
- His knee jerk response will be weak
- His knee jerk response will be absent
- His knee jerk response will vary with body posture
[In an educational setting, this scenario can be used to illustrate the importance of muscle spindles in neuromuscular function. Let’s explore what muscle spindles are and predict the outcome of the patella tendon reflex test in this context.]
**Muscle Spindles: Key Roles in Reflexes**
Muscle spindles are sensory receptors within the muscle that provide information about muscle length and rate of change of length. They play a critical role in the stretch reflex, also known as the myotatic reflex, which helps maintain muscle tone and posture.
**Patella Tendon Reflex Test: An Overview**
The patella tendon reflex test, often referred to as the knee jerk reflex test, evaluates the integrity of the nervous system and the presence of motor neuron activity. When the patella tendon is tapped, it stretches the quadriceps muscle, activating the muscle spindles, which in turn sends a signal to the spinal cord. This signal prompts the spinal cord to send an immediate return signal to the quadriceps muscle to contract, causing the leg to kick out.
**Predicting the Reflex in Muscle Spindle Destruction**
Given the scenario where the individual has a disease that destroys all the muscle spindles in the quadriceps muscle, let's analyze the options provided:
1. **Highly Exaggerated Response**: Without muscle spindles, there would be no sensory input to trigger a reflex. Thus, a highly exaggerated response is unlikely.
2. **Weak Response**: While damage to the nervous system or muscle can result in a weak reflex, complete destruction of muscle spindles would likely lead to a more profound effect.
3. **Absent Response**: With no muscle spindles to detect the stretch and no signal sent to the spinal cord, the most plausible outcome is an absent knee jerk response.
4. **Varied Response with Body Posture**: Reflexes are typically consistent, regardless of posture, unless there's an underlying condition affecting the nerves or muscles. Given the specific condition of](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2F8e98091b-538e-49bc-b14b-5bed86576f4a%2F1179c20a-2b3c-4f8d-9424-bcde40163121%2F31d2r1a_processed.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
Transcribed Image Text:**Understanding the Impact of Muscle Spindle Destruction on the Knee Jerk Reflex Test**
An individual suffers a disease that destroys all the muscle spindles in his quadriceps muscle. What will happen when this individual undergoes a patella tendon reflex test?
- His knee jerk response will be highly exaggerated
- His knee jerk response will be weak
- His knee jerk response will be absent
- His knee jerk response will vary with body posture
[In an educational setting, this scenario can be used to illustrate the importance of muscle spindles in neuromuscular function. Let’s explore what muscle spindles are and predict the outcome of the patella tendon reflex test in this context.]
**Muscle Spindles: Key Roles in Reflexes**
Muscle spindles are sensory receptors within the muscle that provide information about muscle length and rate of change of length. They play a critical role in the stretch reflex, also known as the myotatic reflex, which helps maintain muscle tone and posture.
**Patella Tendon Reflex Test: An Overview**
The patella tendon reflex test, often referred to as the knee jerk reflex test, evaluates the integrity of the nervous system and the presence of motor neuron activity. When the patella tendon is tapped, it stretches the quadriceps muscle, activating the muscle spindles, which in turn sends a signal to the spinal cord. This signal prompts the spinal cord to send an immediate return signal to the quadriceps muscle to contract, causing the leg to kick out.
**Predicting the Reflex in Muscle Spindle Destruction**
Given the scenario where the individual has a disease that destroys all the muscle spindles in the quadriceps muscle, let's analyze the options provided:
1. **Highly Exaggerated Response**: Without muscle spindles, there would be no sensory input to trigger a reflex. Thus, a highly exaggerated response is unlikely.
2. **Weak Response**: While damage to the nervous system or muscle can result in a weak reflex, complete destruction of muscle spindles would likely lead to a more profound effect.
3. **Absent Response**: With no muscle spindles to detect the stretch and no signal sent to the spinal cord, the most plausible outcome is an absent knee jerk response.
4. **Varied Response with Body Posture**: Reflexes are typically consistent, regardless of posture, unless there's an underlying condition affecting the nerves or muscles. Given the specific condition of
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