Exam 1: Reflexes

Question 1

What are the 9 Primitive Reflexes

Answer 1

Palmar Grasp Reflex

Search Reflex

Sucking Reflex

Moro Reflex

Startle Reflex

Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex

Galant Reflex

Babinski Reflex

Plantar Grasp Reflex

Question 2

What are the 3 Locomotor Reflexes

Answer 2

Stepping

Crawling

Swimming

Question 3

What are the 6 Postural Reflexes

Answer 3

Head-Righting Reflex

Body-Righting Reflex

Parachuting Reflex

Labyrinthine Reflex

Pull-up Reflex

Landau Reflex

Question 4

Palmar Grasp Reflex

Answer 4

The infant will grasp a finger when their palm is stroked

Used later in life to hold on to the mother

Question 5

Search Reflex

Answer 5

When brushing the cheek, the infant’s head will turn toward the stimulus

Used for seeking food

Question 6

Sucking Reflex

Answer 6

The infant’s tongue and jaw create a pressure gradient, allowing food and liquid to enter for eating

Used for taking in food

Question 7

Moro Reflex

Answer 7

The infant flings their limbs away from their body when startled

Used for protection and as a neuromotor diagnostic tool

Question 8

Startle Reflex

Answer 8

The infant pulls their limbs toward their core/trunk when startled

Used for protection, may persist into adulthood

Question 9

Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex

Answer 9

When an infant is laying on its stomach, the limbs on the side of the body that the head is facing are extended and the other side is flexed/tucked

“Fencer’s” position, heavily researched

Question 10

Galant Reflex

Answer 10

When held in a standing position, an infant has one of its sides stroked posteriorly and the hips, legs, and feet swing outward toward the side that was stroked

Also called the incurvation reflex, used to rule out brain damage

Question 11

Babinski Reflex

Answer 11

When an infant’s foot is stroked, the toes will flare outward/ extend

Only stimulate the lateral aspect of the foot. This reflex usually turns into a plantar grasp

Question 12

Plantar Grasp

Answer 12

When an infant’s foot is stroked, the toes will grasp the finger that stroked them

Can persist until 1 yr. & interfere with walking

Question 13

Stepping

Answer 13

When held in a standing position and provided with stimuli, the infant will lift its feet and move its knees

Arm swinging is not present with this reflex. It is also one of the most debated.

Question 14

Crawling

Answer 14

When a stimulus is provided to the bottom of the feet, an infant on its stomach will begin to move its arms and legs in a crawling motion

Important for developing muscle tone

Question 15

Swimming

Answer 15

When held horizontally out in the air, an infant will begin producing movement similar to the style of a doggy paddle swim stroke

Seen as early as the 2nd week. One of the most interesting infant reflexes.

Question 16

Head-Righting Reflex

Answer 16

When an infant is rolled from its back to being on its left side, the head will soon follow as a corrective measure

This leads to future voluntary rolling movements

Question 17

Parachuting Reflex

Answer 17

When an infant is lowered toward the ground, they will stick their arms and legs out to catch their “fall”

A protective movement for future falls. The posterior (backward fall) reflex isn’t developed until 10 mo.

Question 18

Labyrinthine Reflex

Answer 18

When an infant’s body is tipped diagonally to one side, its head will remain upright

Occurs on both sides. Developed to strengthen and use the vestibular system. Grants the ability to move forward.

Question 19

Pull-up Reflex

Answer 19

When an infant is pulling itself up or letting itself down (arm flexion or extension), their head will remain aligned with their torso

This reflex is needed to restore balance

Question 20

Landau Reflex

Answer 20

When an infant is on their stomach, their feet will raise in alignment with their head

This reflex leads to independent sitting & walking

Question 21

Body-Righting Reflex

Answer 21

When an infant’s head turns, their body follows to restore upright posture.

This leads to future voluntary rolling movements