Reflex Assessment Flashcards
State the Superficial Reflexes
- Upper Abdominal
- Lower Abdominal
- Cremasteric
- Plantar
- Gluteal
- Anal
Umbilicus moves up and toward the area being stroked depending on the quadrant.
Upper Abdominal (T7-T9)
Umbilicus moves down and toward the area being stroked.
Lower Abdominal (T11-T12)
Scrotum Elevates
Cremasteric (T12-L1)
Flexion of toes
Plantar (S1-S2)
Skin tenses in the gluteal area
Gluteal (L4-L5, S1-S3)
Contraction of anal sphincter muscles
Anal (S2-S4)
These are tested by stroking the skin with a moderately sharp object that does not break the skin.
Superficial Reflexes
Response is absent
DTR Grade 0
Slight reflex but depressed; low normal
DTR Grade 1+
Normal, typical reflex
DTR Grade 2+
Brisk reflex, possibly but not necessarily abnormal
DTR Grade 3+
Very brisk reflex, abnormal, conus
DTR Grade 4+
UMNL Affectation
CNS problem
Hypertonic, Hyperflexia, Spastic
LMNL Affectation
PNS problem
Hypotonic, Hypoflexia
Stroking of the lateral aspect of the foot
Babinski Reflex
Stroking of the lateral side of the foot beneath the lateral malleolus
Chaddock Reflex
Stroking of the anteromedial tibial surface
Oppenheim’s reflex
Squeezing of the calf muscles firmly
Gordon’s reflex
increased muscle tone and tendon reflex in the paralyzed limbs
Organic Hemiplegia
Upper motor neuron lesion that occurs in the neural pathway above the anterior horn cell of the spinal cord or motor nuclei of the cranial nerves.
Pyramid Tract Lesion
Passive flexion of the lower limb
Brudzinski’s reflex
Flicking of the terminal phalanx of one of the 3 medial fingers
Hoffman’s (Digital) reflex
Tapping the plantar surface of the toes
Rossolimo’s reflex
Squeezing the Achilles tendon in the middle third
Schaeffer’s reflex
