REFLEX ARC Meaning and
Definition
-
A reflex arc is a rapid, involuntary, and automatic response to a stimulus that bypasses conscious control to protect the body and maintain homeostasis. It is an essential pathway in the nervous system that involves the activation of sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons.
The process starts with a sensory receptor, which detects a specific stimulus, such as pain, pressure, or heat. The sensory neurons then transmit this information as electrical signals to the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord. The signal is received by interneurons in the spinal cord, where it is processed and analyzed.
Once the information is processed, the interneurons activate motor neurons, which transmit the response signal back to the muscles or glands involved, prompting an immediate reaction. This reaction can be a contraction of muscles or secretion of hormones, for example.
The reflex arc is designed to be a rapid response mechanism, as it bypasses higher brain centers to minimize delays and protect the body from potential harm. An important characteristic of the reflex arc is that it does not require conscious thought or decision-making, as the entire process occurs automatically.
Common examples of reflex arcs include the knee-jerk reflex, where the leg kicks out in response to a tap on the patellar tendon, and the withdrawal reflex, where the hand pulls away from a hot surface without conscious effort. These reflexes occur in fractions of a second and are crucial for maintaining bodily functions and protecting against potential injuries.
-
• The route followed in the production of a reflex act, from the periphery through the afferent nerve to the spinal center and thence through the efferent nerve to the periphery again.
• The path travelled by the nervous influence causing a r. action; it includes the afferent nerve, the nerve-center, and the efferent nerve to the acting muscle, gland, or organ.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for REFLEX ARC
- eeflex arc
- deflex arc
- feflex arc
- teflex arc
- 5eflex arc
- 4eflex arc
- rwflex arc
- rsflex arc
- rdflex arc
- rrflex arc
- r4flex arc
- r3flex arc
- redlex arc
- reclex arc
- revlex arc
- reglex arc
- retlex arc
- rerlex arc
- refkex arc
Etymology of REFLEX ARC
The word "reflex" originates from the Latin word "reflexus", which means "bent back" or "reversed". The term "arc" comes from the Latin word "arcus", meaning "bow" or "arch". In the context of neurology, the term "reflex arc" was coined to describe the physiological pathway that leads to a reflex action, where a stimulus is detected and rapidly responded to without conscious thought. The name reflects the idea of a curved or bent pathway that allows sensory information to be quickly relayed to the appropriate motor response, bypassing higher brain centers.
Similar spelling words for REFLEX ARC
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
