Biomaterial Database

Asymmetric tonic labyrinth reflexes and their interaction with neck reflexes in the decerebrate cat. 1976

K W Lindsay, and T D Roberts, and J R Rosenberg

1. Tonic labyrinth and neck reflexes were studied separately and in combination in the decerebrate cat with C1 and C2 spinal roots cut. Reflex effects were observed as changes in length of the isotonically loaded medial head of triceps. 2. The tonic labyrinth reflexes acted asymmetrically on the medial head of triceps. Side-down rotation of the head produced shortening in medial triceps, whereas side-up rotations of the head resulted in a lengthening. 3. The tonic neck reflexes acted asymmetrically on the medial head of triceps. Side-down rotations of the neck produced a lengthening of medial triceps, whereas side-up rotations of the neck resulted in shortening. 4. Labyrinth and neck reflexes produce opposite effects on the same limb extensor muscle so that, if the neck innervation is intact, head tilting produces no change in muscle length. 5. It is suggested that the interaction between the labyrinth and neck reflexes contributes to the stability of the trunk, allowing the head to move freely on the body without affecting this stability. Labyrinth and neck reflexes need therefore to be considered together as a single system.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007758	Ear, Inner	The essential part of the hearing organ consists of two labyrinthine compartments: the bony labyrinthine and the membranous labyrinth. The bony labyrinth is a complex of three interconnecting cavities or spaces (COCHLEA; VESTIBULAR LABYRINTH; and SEMICIRCULAR CANALS) in the TEMPORAL BONE. Within the bony labyrinth lies the membranous labyrinth which is a complex of sacs and tubules (COCHLEAR DUCT; SACCULE AND UTRICLE; and SEMICIRCULAR DUCTS) forming a continuous space enclosed by EPITHELIUM and connective tissue. These spaces are filled with LABYRINTHINE FLUIDS of various compositions.	Labyrinth,Bony Labyrinth,Ear, Internal,Inner Ear,Membranous Labyrinth,Bony Labyrinths,Ears, Inner,Ears, Internal,Inner Ears,Internal Ear,Internal Ears,Labyrinth, Bony,Labyrinth, Membranous,Labyrinths,Labyrinths, Bony,Labyrinths, Membranous,Membranous Labyrinths
D009132	Muscles	Contractile tissue that produces movement in animals.	Muscle Tissue,Muscle,Muscle Tissues,Tissue, Muscle,Tissues, Muscle
D009333	Neck	The part of a human or animal body connecting the HEAD to the rest of the body.	Necks
D009431	Neural Conduction	The propagation of the NERVE IMPULSE along the nerve away from the site of an excitation stimulus.	Nerve Conduction,Conduction, Nerve,Conduction, Neural,Conductions, Nerve,Conductions, Neural,Nerve Conductions,Neural Conductions
D009475	Neurons, Afferent	Neurons which conduct NERVE IMPULSES to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Afferent Neurons,Afferent Neuron,Neuron, Afferent
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.
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D003655	Decerebrate State	A condition characterized by abnormal posturing of the limbs that is associated with injury to the brainstem. This may occur as a clinical manifestation or induced experimentally in animals. The extensor reflexes are exaggerated leading to rigid extension of the limbs accompanied by hyperreflexia and opisthotonus. This condition is usually caused by lesions which occur in the region of the brainstem that lies between the red nuclei and the vestibular nuclei. In contrast, decorticate rigidity is characterized by flexion of the elbows and wrists with extension of the legs and feet. The causative lesion for this condition is located above the red nuclei and usually consists of diffuse cerebral damage. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p358)	Decerebrate Posturing,Decorticate Rigidity,Decorticate State,Rigidity, Decerebrate,Rigidity, Decorticate,Decerebrate Posturings,Decerebrate Rigidity,Decerebrate States,Decorticate Rigidities,Decorticate States,Posturing, Decerebrate,Posturings, Decerebrate,Rigidities, Decorticate,State, Decerebrate,States, Decerebrate
D005552	Forelimb	A front limb of a quadruped. (The Random House College Dictionary, 1980)	Forelimbs
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia