THE INFLUENCE OF THE PROPRIOCEPTIVE SYSTEM UPON THE CROSSED EXTENSOR REFLEX

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Abstract
Observations relating to the influence of posterior-root section and of rotation of the head upon the responses of the quadriceps muscle of decerebrate cats to contralateral and to ipsilateral break-shock stimuli, applied at varying intervals to the sciatic nerve. The following are the chief conclusions: Under constant conditions of the proprioceptive fields (neck and labyrinth) section of the post. root supply. diminishes the latency and increases rate of development, size, duration and rate of relaxation of a crossed extensor reflex. Rotation of the head toward recording muscle gives the same effects, except a diminution of the rate of relaxation of the reflex. This is true both before and after section of post. root supply. Rotation of the head causes a striking reversal in the reflex effect produced by a single break shock applied to the ipsilateral sciatic nerve. It also has a remarkable effect upon tonus. Similar reversals occur in the response of the knee flexors, the results being in complete harmony with the principle of reciprocal inneryation. The signification of these observations in relation to the coordination of movement is discussed.

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