VPB 121: Veterinary Physiology - II (2+1)

CORTICAL REFLEXES - PLACING REFLEX

Tactile placing reflex

• Blind folded animal if held in space in a dropping position near a supporting surface to facilitate either of the parts of the body like feet, ventral surface of the body, neck or chin in contact with the surface, the animal quickly assumes a posture to place either of the limbs with the supporting surface.
• This reflex requires involvement of both spinal and cerebral cortex by way of corticospinal motor system.
• Decorticate animals or animals wherein descending motor pathways are abolished are not in a position to exhibit this reflex.

Visual placing reflex

• Similar to tactile placing reflex in a normal animal which is mediated through visual integrity system to reach the supporting surface prior to involvement of the cutaneous contact.
• Descending corticospinal motor system do participate in this surface.