No abstract

Studies on the simultaneous influence of the reticular formation of the brain stem on the patellar and jaw reflexes showed that stimulation of the medial portion of the medulla oblongata dorsal to the pyramids consistently inhibited the patellar reflex as had been described by Magoun ('44) and Magoun and Rhines ( '45 ; '46) but simultaneously facilitated the linguomandibular reflex. Stimulation of the more lateral and rostra1 regions of the reticular formation, on the other hand, which facilitated the patellar reflex as had been shown by Rhines and Magoun ( '46) simultaneously inhibited the reflex lowering of the mandible. These preliminary results (King, Minz and Unna, '52) indicated a reciprocal relationship between the extensor-type (patellar) and the flexor-type (linguomandibular) reflexes which was not in accord with the conclusion of Magoun and his co-workers that areas in the brain stem reticular formation either facilitated all reflex and cortically-o r subcortically-induced motor activity or inhibited it. Extensive studies were therefore undertaken