Cortical reflexes - Placing reflex

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.

Last modified: Thursday, 9 June 2011, 8:09 AM