What are long and short reflexes?

Answer 1

I'm assuming this question regards short and long reflexes involved with the gastrointestinal system.

Long reflexes to the GIT involve a sensory neuron that sends an impulse to the brain where it is integrated and another impulse is sent to the digestive system. The stimulus may come from the GIT or another area such as salivary glands or the pancreas and liver and may travel along the vagus, pelvic or sympathetic nerves.

Short reflexes occur when only the enteric nervous system receives, integrates and acts upon the stimulus. An example is can be seen when sensory cells are stimulated in the wall of the GIT. These cells then send signals to the nerve plexuses in the GIT.

Hope that helps :)

Answer 2

Long reflexes are mediated by the central nervous system and involve communication between the brain and spinal cord. Short reflexes are mediated within the autonomic nervous system and involve communication between local neurons in the enteric nervous system of the gastrointestinal tract.