Anatomical and physiological characteristics of pectoralis tendon reflex and its clinical application

Abstract

Pectoralis tendon reflex is different from other classic muscle stretch reflexes because of its unique anatomical structure: the longer spinal center of the reflex (C5-T1) and the shorter line of afferent nerve and efferent nerve. According to this characteristic, we can applied it to the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of upper motor neuron damage on the cervical spinal cord, which promotes the early diagnosis and treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1672⁃6731.2020.05.015

Keywords

• pectoralis muscles
• reflex, stretch
• anatomy
• review