The crossed extensor reflex is contralateral, meaning the reflex occurs on the opposite side of the body from the stimulus. To produce this reflex, branches of the afferent nerve fibers cross from the stimulated side of the body to the contralateral side of the spinal cord.

What does it mean to be a contralateral or ipsilateral reflex?

Reflexes can also be categorized by the number of synapses they involve (monosynaptic reflex versus polysynaptic reflex) or the relative position of the sensory receptors to the responding muscles (ipsilateral = same side of the body, contralateral = opposite sides of the body).

What are the 4 types of reflexes?

In our discussion we will examine four major reflexes that are integrated within the spinal cord: the stretch reflex, the Golgi tendon reflex, the withdrawal reflex and the crossed extensor reflex.