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Types of Compound Reflexes

Reflexes are automatic actions of our nervous system. Many reflexes are innate; we either have them from birth or they seem to come to us naturally. Other reflexes are learned responses which can then be invoked by the nervous system, seemingly without any forethought. Simple reflexes are generally a single action to a single stimulus. Sometimes only a single muscle or set of muscles respond. Compound reflexes are more complex. There's more to them than just a simple stimulus and response.

  1. Chain Reflex

    • A chain reflex is a domino effect. The first reflex invokes the next, which invokes the next and so on. You can sometimes see a chain reflex in the way a dog stretches or shakes, beginning at their head and ending at their feet. It's not a single response; the first motion sets off the next, until the chain is complete.

    Closed Loop Reflex

    • A closed loop reflex generally is a slower reflex that includes a feedback cycle. For example, when you yawn, it's not the kind of reflex you have when you touch something hot (a withdrawal reflex); it's as if the reflex monitors itself and knows when it's had enough. Closed loop reflexes, start and then wain instead of happening instantly.

    Rooting Reflex

    • A rooting reflex is perhaps both a chain reflex and a closed loop reflex. It is the reflex an infant has to burrow its head to find breast milk. It's a classic example of an innate reflex. It is usually invoked by brushing a bottle or a finger against an infants cheek. The infant will probably turn towards the stimulus in a rooting reflex, though it is less likely to if it is not hungry.

    Vestibular Reflex

    • You can think of vestibular reflex as the nervous system's ability to lock onto a visual target and track it, even while the head is moving. You don't have think about tracking an object with your eyes; just look at something, move your head and your eyes can fixate on it, even as your head moves. This compound reflex, like many compound reflexes, is really an entire system that can be called upon by the nervous system.

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