Chapter 13.3, Problem 1AYLO

Summary Introduction

To discuss:

The four criteria for a somatic reflex and their differences.

Introduction:

The spinal nerves are important because the spinal cord sends and receive signals from the body through the spinal nerves. The spinal nerve is composed of large number of nerve fibers or axons and resembles a cord-like appearance. The nervous tissue of the spinal cord is composed of organized cells that involve in the body movements and send the signals to many regions of the body. The spinal cord tracts are stimulatory nerve pathways that pass the information through action potentials.

The reflexes are immediate or automatic involuntary action for response of an external stimulus. The reflex of external stimuli sends the signals through nerves to reach the spinal cord for an immediate action.