What is the Difference Between Autonomic and Somatic Reflexes

The key difference between autonomic and somatic reflexes is that autonomic reflexes are a type of reflexes carried out by the autonomic nervous system, while somatic reflexes are a type of reflexes carried out by the somatic nervous system or voluntary nervous system.

A reflex is an involuntary automatic action the human body makes in response to a stimulus. This means reflexes are carried out without even thinking about them. Autonomic and somatic reflexes are the two main types of reflexes. They are rapid, protective, involuntary, short-lived, and localized. The reflexes are mainly controlled by the motor nervous system, which consists of the voluntary nervous system and somatic nervous system. Moreover, the system of motor neurons (neurons that control muscle movements) is called the motor nervous system.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Autonomic Reflexes
3. What are Somatic Reflexes
4. Similarities – Autonomic and Somatic Reflexes
5. Autonomic vs Somatic Reflexes in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Autonomic vs Somatic Reflexes

What are Autonomic Reflexes?

Autonomic reflexes are a type of reflex carried out by the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is a type of motor nervous system. The function of the autonomic nervous system is to carry nerve impulses to glands, smooth muscles, and cardiac muscles. It is different from the voluntary nervous system because it is not under voluntary control.

Everything performed by the autonomic system is done subconsciously. The autonomic reflexes that are controlled by this nervous system affect inner organs. The very common examples of autonomic reflexes include breathing, control of heart rate, and swallowing.

What are Somatic Reflexes?

Somatic reflexes are types of reflexes carried out by the voluntary nervous system. The somatic nervous system is a type of motor nervous system. The role of this nervous system is to carry nerve impulses from the central nervous system to muscle effectors. The “voluntary” part of the name originated from the fact that this nervous system consciously controls these movements. This nervous system is also called the somatic nervous system. However, reflexes can be carried out by using this nervous system as well. Therefore, the reflexes carried out by this nervous system are named somatic reflexes.

The effectors of somatic reflexes are muscles. A common example of somatic reflex is moving away the legs when stepping on a sharp object or moving away hands from hot stoves.

What are the Similarities Between Autonomic and Somatic Reflexes?

Autonomic and somatic reflexes are the two main types of reflexes.
Both reflexes are involuntary automatic actions the human body makes in response to a stimulus.
Both reflexes are carried out without even thinking about them.
These reflexes are under the control of parts of the motor nervous system.
Both reflexes are rapid, protective, involuntary, short-lived, and localized.
They are extremely important for human body movements.

What is the Difference Between Autonomic and Somatic Reflexes?

Autonomic reflexes are types of reflexes carried out by the autonomic nervous system, while somatic reflexes are types of reflexes carried out by the somatic nervous system or voluntary nervous system. Thus, this is the key difference between autonomic and somatic reflexes. The effectors of the autonomic reflexes are inner organs, whereas the effectors of the somatic reflexes are muscles.

The below infographic presents the differences between autonomic and somatic reflexes in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Autonomic vs Somatic Reflexes

Autonomic and somatic reflexes are the two main types of reflexes. These reflexes are involuntary automatic actions the human body makes in response to a stimulus. Moreover, these reflexes are rapid, protective, involuntary, short-lived, and localized. The key difference between autonomic and somatic reflexes is the nervous system responsible for them. Autonomic reflexes are reflexes carried out by the autonomic nervous system, while somatic reflexes are reflexes carried out by the somatic nervous system or voluntary nervous system.

Reference:

1. “14.2f: Autonomic Reflexes.” Medicine LibreTexts, Libretexts, 17 Jan. 2023.
2. “Somatic Reflex: What Is It, Types, and More.” Osmosis.

Image Courtesy:

1. “The Autonomic Nervous System” By Geo-Science-International – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “1505 Comparison of Somatic and Visceral Reflexes” By OpenStax College – Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. Jun 19, 2013. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia