Abstract
This paper deals with the effects of spinal cord transection on the reflex function of the isolated cord in the spinal man in relationship to these effects following cord transection in animals.
Details are presented of latent period, intensity and duration of the reflex depression of skeletal muscles during the period of spinal shock caudal and cephalad of the cord transection.
Factors influencing the patterns of reflex recovery are described and special attention is drawn to the effect of posture during spinal shock on the development of flexion and extension synergies.
Varieties of reflex pattern due to preponderance of individual muscles occurring after cessation of spinal shock are discussed and special mention is made of the phenomenon of synchronous rhythmic muscle contractions.
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Guttmann, L. Spinal shock and reflex behaviour in man. Spinal Cord 8, 100–110 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1970.19
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1970.19
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