College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

What describes the ipsilateral reflex arc?

1. Motor neuron impulses exit the ipsilateral spinal cord

2. Involves multiple muscles in coordination

3. Occurs on the contralateral side of the body

4. Involves only sensory neurons

The correct answer is: Motor neuron impulses exit the ipsilateral spinal cord

The ipsilateral reflex arc is characterized by the fact that motor neuron impulses exit from the spinal cord on the same side as the sensory input. This means that when a stimulus is received—such as touching a hot surface—the sensory neurons send information to the spinal cord, where the motor neurons respond by activating muscles on the same side of the body to withdraw from the stimulus. This immediate, protective response enables a quick reaction to potentially harmful situations. This aspect of the reflex arc is critical in ensuring that the body can react swiftly without requiring the brain's input, which would take longer. The other options describe different aspects of reflex activity or involve components that do not pertain specifically to the ipsilateral nature of the reflex arc. An understanding of these concepts is crucial for massage therapists in assessing and responding appropriately to reflex actions in their practice.