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Genesis of Tetanus

The document outlines an experiment aimed at demonstrating the effects of increasing stimulus frequency on skeletal muscle contraction, detailing phenomena such as Treppe, Clonus, and Tetanus. It describes the apparatus, procedure, and calculations needed to determine the tetanizing frequency for achieving complete muscle contraction. Additionally, it highlights the physiological significance of motor neuron activity in voluntary and reflex movements.

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84 views2 pages

Genesis of Tetanus

The document outlines an experiment aimed at demonstrating the effects of increasing stimulus frequency on skeletal muscle contraction, detailing phenomena such as Treppe, Clonus, and Tetanus. It describes the apparatus, procedure, and calculations needed to determine the tetanizing frequency for achieving complete muscle contraction. Additionally, it highlights the physiological significance of motor neuron activity in voluntary and reflex movements.

Uploaded by

xulfiqaralee1120
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Genesis of Tetanus

AIM: To demonstrate the effect of increasing frequency of stimuli on skeletal muscle contraction

Theory:

Instead of applying two successive stimuli , if many successive stimuli of maximum strength are applied to the
skeletal muscle, the response of the muscle depends on the frequency of stimulation as explained in Figure 2.9.1

Treppe/Staircase Phenomenon

1. When a skeletal muscle is stimulated with multiple successive stimuli given at the end of relaxation phase of a
simple muscle twitch, there is a progressive increase in the amplitude of successive contraction till a stage is
reached where no further increase in the height of contraction is seen. This is known as Treppe or Staircase
phenomenon.

2. Clonus: When repeated maximal stimulations are given and the frequency is such that successive stimuli fall in
the mid relaxation phase due to the previous stimulus, the muscle relaxes but not completely. This response is
called as clonus.

3. Tetanus: It is defined as the continuous (sustained) state of contraction. It results when multiple successive
maximal stimuli are falling during the contraction phase due to the previous stimulus so that the activation of
contractile mechanism occurs repeatedly before the muscle gets time to relax.

In complete tetanus there is complete fusion of contractions and there is no relaxation. All the fibers contract
maximally and the tension developed is approxiametely four times greater than that developed during individual
to each contraction.

In incomplete Tetanus the contractions do not complete fuse but there are phase of partial relaxation

APPARATUS REQUIRED

SMT, neefs hammer

Speed of the drum= 12.5mm/sec Strength of stimuli is maximal

PROCEDURE

1. Exclude the drum from primary circuit .

2. Include Neef’s hammer to provide 40 or more stimuli per second .

3.Engage the gear lever at 12.5mm/sec speed .

4. Set up a nerve-muscle preparation and stimulate it with gradually increasing frequencies for a few seconds each
time.

5. Note the effect by gradually increasing the frequency of stimuli of 5,10,25 and 40 stimuli per second.

CALCULATION OF TETANIZING FREQUENCY


The “tetanising” or “fusion” frequency is that rate of stimulation of a muscle at which there is complete fusion of
individual contractions to produce tetanus.

Tetanizing frequency= 1/Contraction period

If contraction period is 10m/sec, frequency greater than 1/10ms, i.e. 100/s will cause summation. This is the
tetanising frequency.

PRECAUTIONS

1. Do not include the drum in the circuit.

2. While stimulating the preparation, go from lower to higher frequency.

3. Neef’s hammer should be included in the primary circuit, if tetanising frequency is not achieved.

PHYSIOCLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Voluntary and reflex movements depend on the nature of discharge from the motor neurons

a. Number of activated neurons.

b.Frequency of their firing.

c. Their synchronicity.

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