MANUAL PHYSIOLOGY PRACTICAL - Repository:The Medical ...

FM/UOJ
Reflexes
Reflexes have sensory and motor components. Reflexes are divided into two
categories based on the type of sensation.
1. Superficial reflexes:
These are responses to sensations in the skin.
1.1. The planter reflexes:
Get the patient relaxed on a bed and stroke the outer edge of the sole of the
foot, from heel towards the little toe, with a blunt instrument such as a key. In normal
person planter flexion of the toes is seen (contraction of tensor fascia lata). Stronger
stimulus produces dorsiflexion at the ankle and even withdrawn of the limb.
In pyramidal tract lesions the toes fan out and dorsiflex. This is positive
Babinski response. This response with dorsiflexion of the ankle and flexion of the knee
resembles withdrawal reflex to noxious stimulation.
Exercise: what changes occur in lesions?
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1.2. Abdominal reflex:
The patient is on bed with abdomen uncovered. General stroke of the
abdominal skin towards midline causes contraction of the underlying muscles and
manifests by pulling the umbilicus towards the stimulated area. This reflex is absent in
upper motor neuron lesion.
Exercise: what changes occur in lesions?
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Neurology
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