reflex arc

noun

, Physiology.

1. the nerve pathways followed by an impulse during a reflex.

reflex arc

noun

1. physiol the neural pathway over which impulses travel to produce a reflex action, consisting of at least one afferent (receptor) and one efferent (effector) neuron

Word History and Origins

Origin of reflex arc¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Experts tend to agree that there is a hiccup reflex arc, or circuit, that includes the vagus and phrenic nerves.

From New York Times

The reflex arc concept in psychology, Dewey says, recognizes that the sensory-motor arc is to be taken as the unit of nerve structure, and the type of nerve function.

From Project Gutenberg

The reflex arc idea, as commonly employed, takes sensation as stimulus, and movement as response, as if they were actually separate existences, apart from a coördination.

From Project Gutenberg

The difficulty with customary psychological explanation is that it breaks the reflex arc of the nervous system into three parts whose relations are successive and causal rather than simultaneous and organic.

From Project Gutenberg

Rev. 3:181 The reflex arc concept in psychology.

From Project Gutenberg