Efferent discharges recorded from single skeletomotor and fusimotor fibres in man. 1986

E Ribot, and J P Roll, and J P Vedel

Experiments were performed on awake human subjects in which single nerve fibre activity was recorded in the lateral peroneal nerve using tungsten micro-electrodes as described by Hagbarth & Vallbo (1967, 1968a). The discharge of twelve single efferent fibres innervating the tibialis anterior muscle (t.a.) or the extensor digitorum longus muscle (e.d.l.) was recorded. On the basis of their functional activity, six fibres were identified as skeletomotor and six as fusimotor fibres. Skeletomotor fibres, which were completely silent in relaxed subjects, discharged when subjects performed voluntary isometric or isotonic contractions, they also fired during Jendrassik's manoeuvre and tonic vibration reflex (t.v.r.) induced by mechanical vibration applied to the distal muscle tendon. Units considered as fusimotor fibres were generally spontaneously active with some fluctuation in the discharge frequency. Various tests used to identify afferent fibres elicited no response of these fibres (nor of the skeletomotor fibres). Efferent fibres were considered as fusimotor because their discharges were uncorrelated with any activation of extrafusal muscle fibres. Several means were used to detect activation of extrafusal fibres: surface electromyogram (e.m.g.) electrodes, tungsten electrodes deeply implanted in the muscle and especially the use of a high-sensitivity tension transducer (0 X 1 mN) placed on muscle tendons. The activity in fusimotor fibres could be either elicited or modulated under the following conditions: clenching of the fists, pinna twisting, mental computation, voluntary isometric contraction, passive phasic stretch of the muscle, environmental disturbances, subject laughing, the sound of hand clapping, and subject listening to manoeuvre instructions. Moreover, during spontaneous fusimotor fibre activity the subject was able to voluntarily stop the unit discharge. The results are compared to those obtained in animal studies and discussed with reference to the notion of alpha-gamma linkage, static and dynamic gamma-motoneurone activities, and to other available data concerning the effects of various stimulations on muscle spindle afferent activities in man.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007537 Isometric Contraction Muscular contractions characterized by increase in tension without change in length. Contraction, Isometric,Contractions, Isometric,Isometric Contractions
D007551 Isotonic Contraction Muscle contraction with negligible change in the force of contraction but shortening of the distance between the origin and insertion. Contraction, Isotonic,Contractions, Isotonic,Isotonic Contractions
D009047 Motor Neurons, Gamma Motor neurons which activate the contractile regions of intrafusal SKELETAL MUSCLE FIBERS, thus adjusting the sensitivity of the MUSCLE SPINDLES to stretch. Gamma motor neurons may be "static" or "dynamic" according to which aspect of responsiveness (or which fiber types) they regulate. The alpha and gamma motor neurons are often activated together (alpha gamma coactivation) which allows the spindles to contribute to the control of movement trajectories despite changes in muscle length. Neurons, Fusimotor,Neurons, Gamma Motor,Gamma Motorneurons,Motor Neurons, Gamma-Efferent,Fusimotor Neuron,Fusimotor Neurons,Gamma Motor Neuron,Gamma Motor Neurons,Gamma Motorneuron,Gamma-Efferent Motor Neuron,Gamma-Efferent Motor Neurons,Motor Neuron, Gamma,Motor Neuron, Gamma-Efferent,Motor Neurons, Gamma Efferent,Motorneuron, Gamma,Motorneurons, Gamma,Neuron, Fusimotor,Neuron, Gamma Motor,Neuron, Gamma-Efferent Motor,Neurons, Gamma-Efferent Motor
D009119 Muscle Contraction A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments. Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D009132 Muscles Contractile tissue that produces movement in animals. Muscle Tissue,Muscle,Muscle Tissues,Tissue, Muscle,Tissues, Muscle
D009412 Nerve Fibers Slender processes of NEURONS, including the AXONS and their glial envelopes (MYELIN SHEATH). Nerve fibers conduct nerve impulses to and from the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Cerebellar Mossy Fibers,Mossy Fibers, Cerebellar,Cerebellar Mossy Fiber,Mossy Fiber, Cerebellar,Nerve Fiber
D009476 Neurons, Efferent Neurons which send impulses peripherally to activate muscles or secretory cells. Efferent Neurons,Efferent Neuron,Neuron, Efferent
D010543 Peroneal Nerve The lateral of the two terminal branches of the sciatic nerve. The peroneal (or fibular) nerve provides motor and sensory innervation to parts of the leg and foot. Fibular Nerve,Fibular Nerves,Nerve, Fibular,Nerve, Peroneal,Nerves, Fibular,Nerves, Peroneal,Peroneal Nerves
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000200 Action Potentials Abrupt changes in the membrane potential that sweep along the CELL MEMBRANE of excitable cells in response to excitation stimuli. Spike Potentials,Nerve Impulses,Action Potential,Impulse, Nerve,Impulses, Nerve,Nerve Impulse,Potential, Action,Potential, Spike,Potentials, Action,Potentials, Spike,Spike Potential

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