Editing Reflex (section)

==Types of human reflexes==
===Autonomic vs skeletal reflexes===
''Reflex'' is an anatomical concept and it refers to a 
loop consisting, in its simplest form, of a sensory
nerve, the input, and a motor nerve, the output. 
Autonomic does not mean automatic. The term ''autonomic'' is an anatomical term and it refers 
to a type of nervous system in animals and humans 
that is very primitive. ''Skeletal'' or ''somatic'' are, 
similarly, anatomical terms that refer to a type of
nervous system that is more recent in terms of 
evolutionary development. There are autonomic 
reflexes and skeletal, somatic reflexes.<ref>Nikoletseas Michael M. (2010) Behavioral and Neural Plasticity. {{ISBN|978-1-4537-8945-2}}</ref>

===Myotatic reflexes===

The myotatic or muscle [[stretch reflex]]es (sometimes known as ''deep tendon reflexes'') provide information on the integrity of the [[central nervous system]] and [[peripheral nervous system]]. This information can be detected using [[Electromyography|electromyography (EMG)]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Tsuji |first1=Hironori |last2=Misawa |first2=Haruo |last3=Takigawa |first3=Tomoyuki |last4=Tetsunaga |first4=Tomoko |last5=Yamane |first5=Kentaro |last6=Oda |first6=Yoshiaki |last7=Ozaki |first7=Toshifumi |date=2021-01-27 |title=Quantification of patellar tendon reflex using portable mechanomyography and electromyography devices |journal=Scientific Reports |language=en |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=2284 |doi=10.1038/s41598-021-81874-5 |issn=2045-2322 |pmc=7840930 |pmid=33504836 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2021NatSR..11.2284T }}</ref> Generally, decreased reflexes indicate a peripheral problem, and lively or exaggerated reflexes a central one.<ref name=":1" /> A stretch reflex is the contraction of a muscle in response to its lengthwise stretch.
* [[Biceps reflex]] ([[cervical spinal nerve 5|C5]], [[cervical spinal nerve 6|C6]])
* [[Brachioradialis reflex]] (C5, C6, [[cervical spinal nerve 7|C7]])
* [[Extensor digitorum reflex]] (C6, C7)
* [[Triceps reflex]] (C6, C7, [[cervical spinal nerve 8|C8]])
* [[Patellar reflex]] or knee-jerk reflex ([[lumbar spinal nerve 2|L2]], [[lumbar spinal nerve 3|L3]], [[lumbar spinal nerve 4|L4]])
* [[Ankle jerk reflex]] (Achilles reflex) ([[sacral spinal nerve 1|S1]], [[sacral spinal nerve 2|S2]])

While the reflexes above are stimulated mechanically, the term [[H-reflex]] refers to the analogous reflex stimulated electrically, and [[tonic vibration reflex]] for those stimulated to vibration.

===Tendon reflex===
A [[tendon reflex]] is the contraction of a muscle in response to striking its [[tendon]]. The [[Golgi tendon reflex]] is the inverse of a stretch reflex.

===Reflexes involving cranial nerves===

{| class="wikitable"
! Name !! Sensory !! Motor
 |-
 | [[Pupillary light reflex]]  || [[Optic nerve|II]]|| [[Oculomotor nerve|III]]
 |-
 | [[Accommodation reflex]] || II  || III
 |-
 | [[Jaw jerk reflex]] || [[Trigeminal nerve|V]]|| V
 |-
 | [[Corneal reflex]], also known as the [[blink]] reflex || V || [[Facial nerve|VII]]
 |-
 | [[Glabellar reflex]] || V || VII
 |-
 | [[Vestibulo-ocular reflex]] || [[Vestibulocochlear nerve|VIII]]|| III, [[Trochlear nerve|IV]], [[Abducens nerve|VI]]  + 
 |-   
 | [[Gag reflex]] || [[Glossopharyngeal nerve|IX]]|| [[Vagus nerve|X]]
|}

===Reflexes usually only observed in human infants===
{{main|Primitive reflexes}}
[[Image:Greifreflex.JPG|thumb|Grasp reflex]]<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Flexor Reflex.jpg|thumb|spinal cord]] -->
[[Newborn babies]] have a number of other reflexes which are not seen in adults, referred to as '''primitive reflexes'''. These automatic reactions to stimuli enable infants to respond to the environment before any learning has taken place. They include:
* [[Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex]]
* [[Palmomental reflex]]
* [[Moro reflex]], also known as the startle reflex
* [[Palmar grasp reflex]]
* [[Primitive reflexes#Rooting reflex|Rooting reflex]]
* [[Primitive reflexes#Sucking reflex|Sucking reflex]]
* [[Symmetrical tonic neck reflex]]
* [[Tonic labyrinthine reflex]]

===Other kinds of reflexes===
Other reflexes found in the central nervous system include:
* [[Abdominal reflex]]es (T6-L1)
* [[Gastrocolic reflex]]
* [[Anal wink|Anocutaneous reflex]] (S2-S4)
* [[Baroreflex]]
* [[Cough reflex]]
* [[Cremasteric reflex]] (L1-L2)
* [[Diving reflex]]
* [[Lazarus sign]]
* [[Muscular defense]]
* [[Photic sneeze reflex]]
* [[Scratch reflex]]
* [[Sneeze]]
* [[Startle response]]
* [[Withdrawal reflex]]
** [[Crossed extensor reflex]]
Many of these reflexes are quite complex, requiring a number of synapses in a number of different nuclei in the central nervous system (e.g., the [[escape reflex]]).  Others of these involve just a couple of synapses to function (e.g., the [[withdrawal reflex]]).
Processes such as [[breathing]], [[digestion]], and the maintenance of the [[Heart rate|heartbeat]] can also be regarded as reflex actions, according to some definitions of the term.