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Last updated: 02 January 2025 Print

Neurological Reflexes

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Neurological Reflexes

Superficial Reflexes

  1. Corneal Reflex - Blinking in response to corneal stimulation.
  2. Conjunctival Reflex - Eye closure in response to conjunctival stimulation.
  3. Nasopalpebral Reflex - Blinking upon tapping the nasal bridge.
  4. Gag Reflex (Pharyngeal Reflex) - Contraction of the pharyngeal muscles in response to stimulation of the posterior pharyngeal wall.
  5. Abdominal Reflex - Contraction of abdominal muscles in response to stroking the skin over the abdomen.
  6. Cremasteric Reflex - Elevation of the testicle upon stroking the inner thigh.
  7. Anal Reflex (Perianal Reflex) - Contraction of the anal sphincter upon stimulation of the perianal region.
  8. Plantar Reflex - Flexion of the toes in response to stroking the sole of the foot.

Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTRs)

  1. Biceps Reflex - Contraction of the biceps muscle in response to tapping the biceps tendon.
  2. Triceps Reflex - Contraction of the triceps muscle in response to tapping the triceps tendon.
  3. Brachioradialis Reflex - Contraction of the brachioradialis muscle upon tapping its tendon.
  4. Patellar Reflex (Knee Jerk) - Contraction of the quadriceps muscle upon tapping the patellar tendon.
  5. Achilles Reflex (Ankle Jerk) - Contraction of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles upon tapping the Achilles tendon.

Primitive Reflexes (Commonly Assessed in Infants)

  1. Moro Reflex - Startle response to sudden loss of support.
  2. Rooting Reflex - Turning the head towards a stimulus near the mouth.
  3. Sucking Reflex - Sucking movements in response to stimulation of the lips or roof of the mouth.
  4. Grasp Reflex - Flexion of the fingers or toes upon stimulation of the palm or sole.
  5. Placing Reflex - Lifting of the foot or hand in response to tactile stimulation of the dorsal surface.
  6. Tonic Neck Reflex (Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex) - Turning the head to one side results in arm extension on the same side and flexion on the opposite side.

Pathological Reflexes

  1. Babinski Sign - Upgoing toe upon stroking the sole of the foot.
  2. Chaddock Reflex - Upgoing toe upon stroking the lateral malleolus.
  3. Oppenheim Reflex - Upgoing toe upon stroking the shin.
  4. Gordon Reflex - Upgoing toe upon squeezing the calf muscles.
  5. Hoffmann Reflex - Flexion of the thumb and index finger in response to flicking the distal phalanx of the middle finger.
  6. Tromner Reflex - Thumb and index finger flexion in response to tapping the palmar side of the fingers.
  7. Snout Reflex - Puckering of lips in response to tapping the upper lip.
  8. Glabellar Reflex (Myerson Sign) - Persistent blinking upon repetitive tapping of the glabella.

Cerebellar and Postural Reflexes

  1. Romberg Test - Loss of balance with eyes closed while standing.
  2. Pendular Reflexes - Persistent swinging after eliciting a DTR, seen in cerebellar disorders.
  3. Stewart-Holmes Rebound Reflex - Inability to stop a rebound motion when resistance is removed.

Autonomic Reflexes

  1. Pupillary Light Reflex - Constriction of the pupil in response to light.
  2. Accommodation Reflex - Pupillary constriction when focusing on a near object.
  3. Ciliospinal Reflex - Pupillary dilation in response to neck or facial skin stimulation.
  4. Oculocardiac Reflex - Bradycardia in response to ocular pressure.

Eponymous Reflexes

  1. Brudzinski Sign - Neck flexion causes involuntary hip and knee flexion (meningeal irritation).
  2. Kernig Sign - Pain and resistance on leg extension when the hip is flexed (meningeal irritation).
  3. Lhermitte Sign - Shock-like sensation down the spine upon neck flexion (spinal cord lesions).
  4. Babinski Sign - Upgoing toe response (pyramidal tract lesion).
  5. Hoffmann Reflex - Finger flexion in response to finger tapping (pyramidal tract lesion).
  6. Rossolimo Reflex - Toe flexion upon tapping the ball of the foot (pyramidal lesion).
  7. Bechterew Reflex - Reflex contraction of the neck muscles in response to head movements (cervical pathology).