H-reflexes in masseter and temporalis muscles in man. 1995

G M Macaluso, and A De Laat
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.

In contrast with limb muscles, studies on H-reflexes in the trigeminal system are scarce. The present report aimed at reevaluating the responses obtained in the masseter and temporalis muscles after electrical stimulation of their nerves. Twenty-four subjects participated in the experiments. The reflexes were elicited in the masseter and temporal muscles by monopolar stimulation and recorded using surface electrodes. Stimulation of the masseteric nerve evoked an M-response in the masseter and an H-reflex in both the masseter and the temporal muscles. In contrast with the masseter muscle, where the homonymous H-reflex disappeared at higher stimulation intensities, the heteronymous temporal H-reflex remained and reached a plateau. Simultaneous stimulation of the masseteric and deep temporal nerves resulted in an M-response and an H-reflex in both the masseter and temporal muscles. Increasing stimulus intensitites led to disappearance of the H-reflex in both muscles. The results were compared with those obtained by others on limb muscles. As in these muscles, the presence of heteronymous H-reflexes in the jaw muscles can be used in future studies of motoneuronal excitability.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008406 Masseter Muscle A masticatory muscle whose action is closing the jaws. Masseter Muscles,Muscle, Masseter,Muscles, Masseter
D010812 Physical Stimulation Act of eliciting a response from a person or organism through physical contact. Stimulation, Physical,Physical Stimulations,Stimulations, Physical
D011999 Recruitment, Neurophysiological The spread of response if stimulation is prolonged. (Campbell's Psychiatric Dictionary, 8th ed.) Recruitment, Motor Unit,Motor Unit Recruitment,Neurophysiological Recruitment
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
D005260 Female Females
D006181 H-Reflex A monosynaptic reflex elicited by stimulating a nerve, particularly the tibial nerve, with an electric shock. H Reflex,H-Reflexes,H Reflexes,Reflex, H
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
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

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