Editing Reflex arc (section)

==Monosynaptic vs. polysynaptic==
[[File:Imgnotraçat arc reflex eng.svg |thumb|280px |Reflex arc demonstrated]]
When a reflex arc in an animal consists of only one [[sensory neuron]] and one [[motor neuron]], it is defined as '''monosynaptic''', referring to the presence of a single [[chemical synapse]]. In the case of peripheral muscle reflexes ([[patellar reflex]], [[achilles reflex]]), brief stimulation to the [[muscle spindle]] results in contraction of the agonist or effector muscle.
By contrast, in '''polysynaptic''' reflex pathways, one or more interneurons connect [[afferent nerve|afferent]] ([[sensory system|sensory]]) and [[efferent nerve|efferent]] ([[motor system|motor]]) signals. All but the most simple reflexes are polysynaptic, allowing processing or inhibition of polysynaptic reflexes within the brain.{{Clarify | date=August 2019 | reason=This sentence is ambiguous: doesn't being 'monosynaptic' allow the brain to inhibit reflexes?  Does the brain always process polysynaptic reflexes? }}