Demonstration of axon reflexes in human motor nerve fibres. 1970

E Stålberg, and J V Trontelj

Responses of single muscle fibres to electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve trunk or of the intramuscular nerve twigs were detected in young volunteers without evidence of neurological disease. With suitably adjusted amplitude of the stimulus, clear-cut double distribution of the response latencies was obtained in some fibres. Experiments with two stimulating cathodes and with recordings from more than one muscle fibre in the same motor unit suggest that axon reflexes were involved. The results indicate that axonal branching normally occurs not only in the intramuscular course of the nerve but also outside the muscle, in some cases even rather high in the nerve trunk. The possibility is discussed that axon reflexes may underlie fasciculations evoked by neostigmine and those seen in some other conditions, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, as well as muscle cramps in normal subjects.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007866 Leg The inferior part of the lower extremity between the KNEE and the ANKLE. Legs
D009413 Nerve Fibers, Myelinated A class of nerve fibers as defined by their structure, specifically the nerve sheath arrangement. The AXONS of the myelinated nerve fibers are completely encased in a MYELIN SHEATH. They are fibers of relatively large and varied diameters. Their NEURAL CONDUCTION rates are faster than those of the unmyelinated nerve fibers (NERVE FIBERS, UNMYELINATED). Myelinated nerve fibers are present in somatic and autonomic nerves. A Fibers,B Fibers,Fiber, Myelinated Nerve,Fibers, Myelinated Nerve,Myelinated Nerve Fiber,Myelinated Nerve Fibers,Nerve Fiber, Myelinated
D009470 Muscle Spindles Skeletal muscle structures that function as the MECHANORECEPTORS responsible for the stretch or myotactic reflex (REFLEX, STRETCH). They are composed of a bundle of encapsulated SKELETAL MUSCLE FIBERS, i.e., the intrafusal fibers (nuclear bag 1 fibers, nuclear bag 2 fibers, and nuclear chain fibers) innervated by SENSORY NEURONS. Muscle Stretch Receptors,Neuromuscular Spindles,Receptors, Stretch, Muscle,Stretch Receptors, Muscle,Muscle Spindle,Muscle Stretch Receptor,Neuromuscular Spindle,Receptor, Muscle Stretch,Receptors, Muscle Stretch,Spindle, Muscle,Spindle, Neuromuscular,Spindles, Muscle,Spindles, Neuromuscular,Stretch Receptor, Muscle
D012018 Reflex An involuntary movement or exercise of function in a part, excited in response to a stimulus applied to the periphery and transmitted to the brain or spinal cord.
D004558 Electric Stimulation Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses. Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D004576 Electromyography Recording of the changes in electric potential of muscle by means of surface or needle electrodes. Electromyogram,Surface Electromyography,Electromyograms,Electromyographies,Electromyographies, Surface,Electromyography, Surface,Surface Electromyographies
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
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001369 Axons Nerve fibers that are capable of rapidly conducting impulses away from the neuron cell body. Axon

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