INTEGRATIVE PATTERN OF EXCITATION AND INHIBITION IN TWO-NEURON REFLEX ARCS

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Abstract
An afferent volley arising in the nerve of a given muscle or muscle fraction has, by direct action, the following effects: (1) If above threshold, it discharges motoneurons that supply that muscle or muscle fraction, (2) it facilitates the action of motoneurons that supply the muscle remainder, or synergists at the same joint, (3) it inhibits the action of motoneurons that supply antagonists at the same joint. The afferent volley in question, by direct actions, neither excites nor inhibits muscles that act at neighboring joints. Thus no direct reflex connections obtain between muscles serving separate joints. The actions described occur in the performance of myotatic reflexes. The mutually dependent muscles of a joint, together with the direct reflex paths that bind them, may be considered as constituting a myotatic unit. The myotatic unit exhibits, complete within itself and without the intervention of interneurons, the elementary mechanism of reciprocal inncrvation.

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