TABLE 8-1.- THE MOST COMMONLY TESTED REFLEXES
(*These reflexes are considered part of a routine screening examination for neurologic disease. The other reflexes are examined when suspicion of abnormality exists on the basis of history or screening examination.)
Stretch reflexes (deep tendon reflexes) |
Jaw jerk |
V sensory (s) and motor (m) |
Biceps* |
C5-6 (s,m) |
|
Triceps* |
C6-7 (s,m) |
|
Brachioradialis* |
C6,7,8 (s,m) |
|
Finger flexor |
C6,7,8 (s,m) |
|
Knee* |
L2,3,4 (s,m) |
|
Ankle* |
S1,2 (s,m) |
|
Superficial reflexes |
Corneal * |
V (s) and VII (m) |
Nose tickle |
V (s) and VII+ (m) |
|
Gag* |
IX, X (s,m) |
|
Abdominal |
T7-TI2 (s,m) |
|
Cremasteric |
S1 (s,m) |
|
Plantar* |
S1,2 (s,m) |
|
Anal wink |
S4,5 (s,m) |
|
Visceral (autonomic) reflexes |
Pupillary-light & accommodation* |
II (s) and III (m) |
Oculocardiac |
V (s) and X (m) |
|
Carotid sinus |
IX (s) and X (m) |
|
Bulbocavernosis |
S2, 3, 4 (s,m) |
|
Rectal (internal sphincter) |
S2, 3, 4 (s,m) |
|
Orthostatic blood pressure and pulse change |
IX (s), X & sympathtics (m) |
|
"Primitive" reflexes |
Glabellar |
Associated with bilateral hemispheric dysfunction (especially frontal lobe; see Chaps. 2 and 16). |
Forced grasping (feet and hands) |
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Feeding reflexes (sucking, biting, rooting) |
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Oculocephalic and nuchocephalic disinhibition |
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Miscellaneous |
Vestibulo-ocular responses (see Chap. 3) |
VIII (s) and extraocular (III, IV, VI) (m) |
Oculocephalic reflex |
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Caloric irrigations |