Question

3. Patellar Reflex: Have your partner sit on a table so that the leg hangs freely. Strike the patellar ligament just below the kneecap with the reflex hammer. a. Describe the response to the patellar ligament strike? The knee extends b. Describe the primary reflex are for the patellar reflex including the nerves and muscles stimulated? c. Describe the reciprocal reflex arc for the patellar reflex including the nerves and muscles stimulated? d. What are two of the biological purposes of the patellar reflex? Relieves stretching 4. Plantar Reflex: Stimulate the sole of your partner's foot by moving the handle of the reflex hammer along the outside of the sole towards the toes. a. Describe the response to the plantar stimulation? Use appropriate terminology b Describe the positive Babinski sign (reflex) and why does this occur? Use appropriate terminology

Answer 1

3. Patellar reflex:

a. when the knee hammer strike just below the knee cap, the foot jerks upward.

b. A reflex arc is the carrying of messages by neurons from receptors to the CNS and from CNS to the effectors. The primary reflex arc of the patellar reflex is a monosynaptic(stretch) reflex arc. That there is no interneuron in the pathway leading to contraction of the quadriceps muscle and thereby the foot jerks.

c. The secondary reflex arc (spinal reflex) is the sensory neuron connect with the motor neuron in the spinal cord causing relaxation of hamstring muscles. So the knee restores back into a normal position.

d. Biological purposes of patellar reflex:

• It coordinates muscle movement.
• It helps to maintain body posture and balance by adjusting muscle tension.