Antagonistic Reflexes
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Antagonistic reflexes are neural responses that cannot simultaneously use the same peripheral motor apparatus, leading to mutual inhibition. This article explains how stronger reflexes override weaker ones, contrasting them with allied reflexes that can reinforce each other.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
Antagonistic Reflexes, according to Sherrington—such reflexes that cannot simultaneously use for their realization the given peripheral centrifugal apparatus (the "last common pathway" in Sherrington's terminology). This is best explained by an example. If one elicits a scratching reflex in a dog and during this reflex applies irritation to the skin of the corresponding hind limb, then the scratching reflex will immediately cease: the general flexor reflex, caused by irritation of the skin of the hind limb, and the scratching reflex are antagonistic reflexes. Their simultaneous existence is impossible; a struggle arises between them, leading to the victory of the stronger reflex, in this example—the general flexor reflex. Along with such antagonistic reflexes, there also exist so-called "allied" reflexes, i.e., reflex-allies that can simultaneously use the same centrifugal pathway and even strengthen each other in the process. Thus, by irritating a dog's shoulder simultaneously at two points 10 cm apart, one can obtain a stronger scratching reflex than when irritating each point separately.
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Cite this page
“Antagonistic Reflexes.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/antagonistic-reflexes/