QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s):
Home     Help     Feedback     Subscriptions     Archive     Search     Table of Contents

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by ZILL, S. N. Articles by VARELA, F. G. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by ZILL, S. N. Articles by VARELA, F. G.

Journal of Experimental Biology 94,43-55 (1981)
Published by Company of Biologists 1981

The Exoskeleton and Insect Proprioception : II. Reflex Effects of Tibial Campaniform Sensilla in the American Cockroach, Periplaneta Americana

SASHA N. ZILL ¹, DAVID T. MORAN ², and FRANCISCO G. VARELA ²

¹ Department of Anatomy, University of Colorado Medical School Denver, Colorado 80262; Department of Biology, University of Oregon Present address:Eugene, Oregon 97403.
² Department of Anatomy, University of Colorado Medical School Denver, Colorado 80262

1. Mechanical stimulation of individual tibial campaniform sensilla produces specific reflex effects upon motoneurones to leg muscles.

2. The reflex effects of a campaniform sensillum depend upon the orientation of its cuticular cap. The proximal sensilla, oriented perpendicular to the long axis of the tibia, excite slow motoneurones to the extensor tibiae and extensor trochanteris muscles and inhibit slow motoneurones to the flexor tibiae and flexor trochanteris muscles. The distal sensilla, oriented parallel to the tibia, exhibit reflexes of opposite sign, inhibiting the extensors and exciting the flexors.

3. These reflexes constitute a negative feedback system. Individual sensilla specifically excite motoneurones which innervate muscles whose resultant tensions decrease the firing of those sensilla.

4. It is postulated that individual campaniform sensilla can detect loading of the leg in various postures and can excite appropriate motoneurones in compensation. These receptors can also detect strains caused by large, resisted contractions of the antagonist muscles and inhibit the corresponding motoneurones.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. Matheson and V. Durr Load compensation in targeted limb movements of an insect J. Exp. Biol., September 15, 2003; 206(18): 3175 - 3186. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. K. Tryba and R. E. Ritzmann Multi-Joint Coordination During Walking and Foothold Searching in the Blaberus Cockroach. I. Kinematics and Electromyograms J Neurophysiol, June 1, 2000; 83(6): 3323 - 3336. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Duysens, F. Clarac, and H. Cruse Load-Regulating Mechanisms in Gait and Posture: Comparative Aspects Physiol Rev, January 1, 2000; 80(1): 83 - 133. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]