Oxytocin Pathway

The baby's head drops deep into the female pelvis.

• Stimulus

• Motor Output

• Response

• Sensory Input

• Integration

"the drop"

• Stimulus

• Motor Output

• Response

• Sensory Input

• Integration

Lightening

• Stimulus

• Motor Output

• Response

• Sensory Input

• Integration

The pressoreceptors send a signal to the sensory neurons.

• Stimulus

• Motor Output

• Response

• Sensory Input

• Integration

The sensory neurons send a signal to the hypothalamus in the brain.

• Stimulus

• Motor Output

• Response

• Sensory Input

• Integration

The hypothalamus sends a signal to the posterior pituitary which secretes oxytocin into the bloodstream.

• Stimulus

• Motor Output

• Response

• Sensory Input

• Integration

Oxytocin travels through the bloodstream to the uterus.

• Stimulus

• Motor Output

• Response

• Sensory Input

• Integration

The uterine wall contracts vigorously.

• Stimulus

• Motor Output

• Response

• Sensory Input

• Integration

Contractions continue until...

• The baby is delivered

• 12 - 20 hours have passed

• The baby stops moving

• The uterus returns to its normal size

Uterus

• Effector

• Control Center

• Receptor

• Stimulus