Stretch reflex

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.

Somatic Nervous System: The part of the peripheral nervous system associated with voluntary control of body movements through skeletal muscles