What happens to muscle spindle firing when tissue is heated?

Study for the Physiology of Heat and Cold Test with insightful flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question offers hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What happens to muscle spindle firing when tissue is heated?

Explanation:
Temperature changes alter how sensitive muscle spindles are to stretch. Heating tissue makes the intrafusal fibers more compliant, so for a given muscle length change less stretch is transmitted to the sensory endings. This reduces the receptor potential in the Ia afferents, leading to a lower firing rate. So, with heating, the spindle’s response to stretch diminishes. (Cooling has the opposite effect, increasing firing.)

Temperature changes alter how sensitive muscle spindles are to stretch. Heating tissue makes the intrafusal fibers more compliant, so for a given muscle length change less stretch is transmitted to the sensory endings. This reduces the receptor potential in the Ia afferents, leading to a lower firing rate. So, with heating, the spindle’s response to stretch diminishes. (Cooling has the opposite effect, increasing firing.)

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy