What is the difference between visceral and somatic reflexes

Thus, this is the fundamental difference between somatic and visceral reflex. Another difference between somatic and visceral reflex is that the somatic nervous system produces somatic reflex while the autonomic nervous system produces visceral reflex. The main difference between somatic and visceral reflex is that the somatic reflex innervates skeletal muscles while the visceral reflex innervates soft tissue organs.

Furthermore, the somatic reflexes contract skeletal muscles while the visceral reflexes are responsible for the contractions of the digestive system and reproductive system, dilation of the pupil, defecating and vomiting. Moreover, the somatic reflexes protect the body from injuries while the visceral reflexes carry out the functions of the internal organs.

Hence, this is another difference between somatic and visceral reflex. Somatic reflex is the nerve circuit of the somatic nervous system. It is responsible for the contraction of skeletal muscles. Furthermore, there are two main types of reflex arc namely autonomic reflex arc and somatic reflex arc.

Autonomic reflex arc targets cardiac and smooth muscles, as well as glandular tissue basically inner organs while somatic arc targets skeletal muscles. Overview and Key Difference 2. What is Somatic Reflex 3. What is Visceral Reflex 4.

Similarities Between Somatic and Visceral Reflex 5. The somatic nervous system is a part of the peripheral nervous system. The somatic reflex is a reflex that occurs in the skeletal muscles. Therefore, these reflexes involve the skeletal muscle contractions in response to stimuli. The spinal cord is the part of the central nervous system that controls somatic reflexes.

Hence, these reflexes take place before information is reaching the brain. Some examples of the somatic reflexes are blinking or knee-jerk arc, etc. There are several major events of a somatic reflex. Somatic reflex initiates with the stimulation of somatic receptors. Then, the afferent fibres carry this signal to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. The autonomic system, however, targets cardiac and smooth muscle, as well as glandular tissue.

There are three common somatic reflexes discussed in most anatomy and physiology courses. Stretch knee-jerk, patellar reflex. Withdrawal flexor reflex.

Crossed-extensor reflex. The output of a somatic reflex is the lower motor neuron in the ventral horn of the spinal cord that projects directly to a skeletal muscle to cause its contraction. The other part of a reflex, the afferent branch, is often the same between the two systems.

It can be slow or fast. It uses higher and lower motor neurons, is variable and not stereotyped. A somatic reflex employs a reflex arc in which signals travel along the following pathways: 1.

Categories of Reflexes Reflexes can either be visceral or somatic. Visceral reflexes involve a projection from the central neuron to a ganglion, followed by a second projection from the ganglion to the target effector.

The simplest example of a spinal reflex is the monosynapic reflex arc, having four components: A receptor in this case, the muscle spindle. An afferent component sensory input.