Talk:Patellar reflex

The figure is partially incorrect
The dorsal root should not come out of cornu anterius, but rather out of cornu posterius of the spinal cord. The ventral root comes out of cornu anterius and not cornu posterius as the figure shows.

Gurfinkel, Lipshits and Popov?
I'd like some more information on this study. I feel it is insufficient to say that they 'showed' it. Aren't there more recent studies that duplicate the results or expand upon it? Can the results be explained? I'll give some time to track down the info, otherwise I'm deleting it. Tyciol 07:11, 28 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Looks like vandalism to me, but of course I can't comment except for the fact that two of those names aren't Russian. -Iopq 03:08, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

1, 2 or 3 neurons?
There are actually three nurons. The sensory, inter, and motor neurons. the inter neurons are located in the spinal cord, this is where the change from sensory to moter occours. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rob L (talk • contribs)
 * There are 3 neurons, however your explanation is incorrect. The reflex explained on this page is a 2-neuron reflex in regards to the sensory neuron from the muscle spindle, and the alpha motor neuron contracting the quadriceps muscles.  However, what is left out is that an INHIBITORY INTERNEURON is also activated and synapses with the antagonists to the quadriceps muscles, which would be the hamstrings.  This is all a part of the myotatic reflex and should be included!  This is a very poorly written article. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.143.65.87 (talk • contribs)

The article as it stands seems to be self-contradictory in that the first section states the use of three neurons while, lower down, it states that it is monosynaptic (though apparently monosynaptic reflexes still require *two* neurons). The German Wikipedia article calls it monosynaptic (and explains the term as meaning the use of only one neuron to affect the motor neuron). —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 194.95.179.131 (talk • contribs).

it is only two neurons that form part of this reflex!!! not three!!1 —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 129.173.188.156 (talk • contribs).


 * Agreed, there is a contradiction - I added an appopriate template, hopefully some more knowledgable editor will fix it. As far as my grasp of English indicates, the text also notes it maybe a one neuron reaction...--Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus 19:53, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

Confusion relieved
Monosynaptic reflex means there is one synapse in the arc! Basically two neurons are involved although higher influences may act on the single synapse present. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 210.7.92.91 (talk • contribs) 09:37, 25 November 2006
 * Correct. I've been trying to propagate the correct usage. See reflex arc for the consensus we reached (I found an authoritative answer in a current copy of Grey's anatomy) Robotsintrouble 20:01, 27 November 2006 (UTC)

Patellar ligament or tendon?
The article says patellar tendon, but the image that goes with it appears to identify it as a ligament. Plus my girlfriend, who's a nurse, says it's a ligament. Can someone who knows what they're doing look this up to be sure and change the article accordingly? Vbdrummer0 04:21, 16 December 2006 (UTC)
 * it is technically a ligament, but is usually called tendon. see the patellar article.  --132.236.59.100 (talk) 02:29, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Both are correct. I have consulted one of the editors of Grays Anatomy and she confirmed that the structure in question is more normally refered to as the Patellar Tendon, although Ligament is sometimes used. The patellar is an example of a sesamoid bone that develops within the tendon itself. Grays refers to it as the Patellar Tendon (Gray's Anatomy, 39th edition, 2005, page 1472, 1474, Fig 113.25), but often with (patellar ligament) in brackets.JeffBagust (talk) 11:04, 4 November 2009 (UTC)

WTF is a 'Lemur'?
Check out the picture; I think it probably ought to read 'Femur' —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.209.196.156 (talk) 02:55, 24 January 2009 (UTC)

Yes, wtf is a lemur
I sure hope I don't have one where my femur ought to be... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.87.122.248 (talk) 03:06, 21 April 2010 (UTC)

Historical significance of patellar reflex
Do we know how/why this reflex developed in humans, and what was its purpose?

Would be nice to see this information added to the article.