In a monosynaptic reflex, the message travels from the sensory neuron to the motor neuron with only one synapse. ... Once the sensor is activated, the signal travels along the sensory neuron to the spinal cord. In the spinal cord, the signal crosses a synapse to a motor neuron and then travels back to the same muscle.

What causes a monosynaptic reflex?

Monosynaptic reflexes.

This reflex originates from the primary sensory endings in the muscle spindles. The axons of the proprioceptive neurons innervating these endings (afferent fibers, group Ia) make direct projections on alpha-motoneurons that send their axons to the same muscle.

What is monosynaptic reflex action?

The monosynaptic stretch reflex, or sometimes also referred to as the muscle stretch reflex, deep tendon reflex, is a reflex arc that provides direct communication between sensory and motor neurons innervating the muscle. ... This contraction allows the muscle to resist the force that initially caused the reflex.