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Somatic Reflex Arc

Master the Somatic Reflex Arc

With Picmonic, complex physiological concepts like the Somatic Reflex Arc become easy to understand and remember. Our visual mnemonics, audio stories, and quizzes make learning efficient and fun. Watch this video to learn more.

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Somatic Reflex Arc

Somatic Reflex Arc

Sumo-Tic bending an Arc
Picmonic
The somatic reflex arc is the neural pathway resulting in involuntary actions, also known as reflexes. An afferent sensory neuron receives some sort of sensory input or stimulus and transmits it toward the integration center. Interneurons integrate the signal (if there are multiple sensory inputs) and transmit the signal to the efferent motor neuron. In normal neural pathways, all input goes to the brain for processing. However, in reflexes, the input is processed in the interneurons instead, which allows for faster response. The efferent motor neuron stimulates muscle, or any effector target, into conducting the reflex action. The integration occurs in the spinal cord instead of the brain. Some reflexes have multiple interneurons, but simple reflex arcs only have one neuron separating the sensory neuron and effector neuron.
5 KEY FACTS
Spinal Cord
Spinal Cord

The integration of reflex arcs happens in the spinal cord rather than in the brain, allowing reflexes to occur quickly and without conscious thought.

Sensory (Afferent) Neuron
(A) Apple with Sensor-camera

Afferent sensory neurons receive sensory input and transmit the signal on toward the integration center.

Interneurons Transmit
I-neuron-guy

The interneurons are located in the spinal cord and process the signal from the sensory neuron. They then pass the signal on to the effector side of the pathway without going to the brain for processing.

Motor (Efferent) Neuron
Motor Neuron

Efferent motor neurons receive the signal from the interneuron and transmit it to the effector target cells, often muscle cells. For example, in the patella-tendon reflex, the effector target cells are muscle cells located near the knee.

Effector Targets
Elf

The effector targets are the cells that act. They are often muscle cells, and are the terminal cells in reflex arcs.

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