Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The stretch reflex is a muscle contraction in response to stretching within the muscle. It is an involuntary reflex action that aims to maintain muscle tension and safeguard muscles from over-stretching.
Related terms
Muscle spindle: Sensory receptors within the belly of a muscle that detect changes in muscle length.
Motor neuron: A type of nerve cell that transmits signals from the central nervous system to muscles, causing them to contract.