Afferent division of the PNSĪfferent information is sent towards the nervous system regarding the internal environment of the body such as information about blood pressure. Lifelong reflex schemes, the most complex of innate reflexes, include whole body movements that emerge across all population regardless of cultural, social, or environmental differences.The PNS can be divided into two components – the afferent division and the efferent division. Triggered in response to triggering stimulus Click on the reflex name of interest for additional information a particular primary infant reflex, click on the reflex name of interest. The table summarizes the name of each primary infant motor reflex, when the reflex is first visibly apparent, and when the primary reflex integrates and is no longer actively present in its primary form. The following table summarizes the primary infant reflexes best known by health and wellness professionals and central to the MNRI Method and its complement of programs.
#Somatic nervous system examples skin
Sharp, sudden pain causes the affected arm or leg to be withdrawn.Īn irritant to the skin causes scratching movement to relieve the itch.įor a more complete summary of lifelong reflexes go the online Medical Dictionary provided by The Free Dictionary through the following link: This reflex helps to prevent choking.Ī touch on the roof of the mouth by the sucking tongue causes swallowing to occur (allowing baby to obtain nourishment).Ī stroke along the side of the sole of the foot causes the foot to grasp, moving the toes toward the heel. Somatic reflex examples are included below for innate lifelong reflexes, primary infant motor reflexes, and lifelong reflex schemes.Ī touch on the soft palate in the back of the mouth causes a contraction of the back of the throat that prevents something from entering the throat except as a part of normal swallowing. Involve a combination of reflex movements and patterns and are considered whole-body reflex schemes.Įxamples: Rolling over, sitting up, walking and jumping. Involve a combination of muscle groups and are considered inter-limb reflex patterns.Įxamples: Moro, Bauer crawling, and symmetrical tonic neck reflexes. Involve muscle groups and related joints, bones, tendons, ligaments and fascia and are referred to as inter-joint reflex movements.Įxamples: Foot grasp reflex and Babinski reflex. Involve a single muscle and related joints, bones, tendons, ligaments and Fascia and are referred to as reflex actions.Įxamples: Knee jerk reflex and withdrawal reflex.
Summarized below are the basic parameters used to define each of the structural reflex variations along with a table outlining the various ways in which less complex reflexes can function – independently and or as subordinate components of related, more complex innate reflexes, acquired reflexes, or learned reflexive responses. This structural characterization can be applied to all motor movement reflexes whether they are lifelong, primary, innate or acquired. Somatic reflex categories include motor reflex actions, movements, patterns, and schemes. Motor movement reflexes can be categorized according to the number and combination of muscles, joints, and limbs involved in executing a particular motor response.
As each reflexive somatic response emerges it qualitatively and quantitatively expands our ability to interact more efficiently and effectively with the world around us, expanding our repertoire to include simple to complex motor movements. The somatic system works with the central nervous system to moderate and coordinate innate and acquired reflexes as well as learned reflexive responses.