🎯 What is a reflex?

• a rapid, involuntary, automatic response triggered in response to a stimulus

• reflexes are designed to protect us from potential dangers that may cause harm to the body by allowing us to react immediately before the brain has time to process and register the event

 

⚡️ Pupillary light reflex

• afferent

  • optic nerve (CN II)

• efferent

  • oculomotor nerve (CN III)

• effect

  • pupillary constriction in response to light

 

⚡️ Accommodation reflex

• afferent

  • optic nerve (CN II)

• efferent

  • oculomotor nerve (CN III)

• effect

  • adduction of the eye to focus on a close image

 

⚡️ Corneal reflex

• afferent

  • ophthalmic nerve of the trigeminal nerve (CN V1)

• efferent

  • facial nerve

• effect

  • blinking of the eye (due to contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle) to prevent foreign bodies from entering the eye

 

⚡️ Lacrimation

• afferent

  • ophthalmic nerve of the trigeminal nerve (CN V1)

• efferent

  • facial nerve (CN VII)

• effect

  • production of tears to lubricate the eye​

 

⚡️ Jaw jerk reflex

• afferent

  • mandibular nerve of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3)

• efferent

  • mandibular nerve of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3)

• effect

  • contraction of the temporalis and masseter muscles which trigger the sudden closure of the mouth

 

⚡️ Vestibulo-ocular reflex

• afferent

  • vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)

• efferent

  • oculomotor (CN III), trochlear (CN IV) and abducens (CN VI) nerves to keep the eyes fixed in position despite head movement

 

⚡️ Gag reflex

• afferent

  • glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

• efferent

  • vagus nerve (CN X)

• effect

  • prevents you from swallowing foreign bodies, preventing you from choking

 

⚡️ Carotid sinus reflex

• afferent

  • glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

• efferent

  • vagus nerve (CN X)

• effect

  • regulation of blood pressure

 

⚡️ Coughing

• afferent

  • vagus nerve (CN X)

• efferent

  • vagus nerve (CN X)

• effect

  • protection of the respiratory tract from foreign bodies and excessive bronchial secretions