Spinal Reflexes

Question 1

FLEXOR WITHDRAWAL REFLEX

Answer 1

Stimulus: mildly noxious stroke of sole of foot while hip and knee are extended
(+) uncontrolled flexion in response
(-) maintained extension or voluntary withdrawal from stimulus

Question 2

EXTENSOR THRUST REFLEX

Answer 2

Stimulus: mildly noxious stroking to sole of foot while hip and knee are flexed
(+) uncontrolled extension
(-) controlled movement or maintained flexion

Question 3

CROSSED EXTENSION REFLEX

Answer 3

Stimulus: mildly noxious stroking to sole of foot while affected (stroked) leg is flexed and other leg extended
(+) flexed leg extends, extended leg flexes
(-) flexed leg remains flexed or controlled response

Question 4

ASYMMETRICAL TONIC NECK REFLEX

Answer 4

Stimulus: head is passively or actively rotated to one side
(+) extension of ipsilateral arm & leg, flexion of arm and leg on contralateral side
(-) no reaction

Question 5

SYMMETRICAL TONIC NECK REFLEX: FLEXION

Answer 5

Stimulus: flexion of c/spine
(+) elbows and hips flex, knees extend
(-) controlled or voluntary movement

Question 6

SYMMETRICAL TONIC NECK REFLEX: EXTENSION

Answer 6

Stimulus: extension of c/spine
(+) elbows extend, hips & knees flex (sitting on heels)
(-) controlled or voluntary movement

Question 7

TONIC LABYRINTHINE SUPINE & PRONE

Answer 7

Stimulus: c/spine flexion
(+) limbs flex
Stimulus: c/spine extension
(+) limbs ‘extend’

(-) voluntary, controlled movement

Question 8

POSITIVE SUPPORTING REACTION

Answer 8

Stimulus: standing/bouncing/landing on forefoot
(+) increased extensor tone… knees & hips extend
(-) no increase in leg tone (voluntary flex/extend)

Question 9

NEGATIVE SUPPORTING REACTIONS

Answer 9

Stimulus: standing/bouncing/landing on hindfoot
(+) increased flexor tone… hips & knees flex
(-) no increase in tone/voluntary control of flex/ext

If dominant = cannot bear weight/crumple to the ground

Question 10

MORO REFLEX

Answer 10

Stimulus: supporting surface suddenly moved
(+) GH abduction & flexion
(-) minimal or no reaction, catching oneself

As dominant reflex: an attempt to ‘grab on’ to something

Question 11

ASSOCIATED REACTIONS

Answer 11

Stimulus: unilateral grasping or reaching on one side
(+) mirroring of opposite limb/increase in tone of opposite limb
(-) controlled, voluntary movement

Question 12

STARTLE REFLEX

Answer 12

Stimulus: loud noise
(+) abduction & flexion of GH/movement of body
(-) minimal or no reaction

Question 13

NECK/HEAD RIGHTING ON THE BODY (LOG ROLLING)

Answer 13

Stimulus: rotation of head to one side
(+) body rotates as a whole toward the same side head is rotated
(-) body does not rotate, or rolls segmentally

We should all be (-) after about a year old

Question 14

BODY RIGHTING ON THE BODY (SEGMENTAL ROLLING)

Answer 14

Stimulus: rotation of head to one side
(+) rotation of trunk, then shoulders, then pelvis (voluntary, segmental rolling)
(-) body rotates as a whole (log rolling)

(-) before 10-12 months, (+) after 10-12 months

Question 15

LANDAU REFLEX

Answer 15

Stimulus: same as tonic labyrinthine supine/prone except torso is suspended in the air (c spine flexion -> limbs flex, c spine extension -> limbs extend)
(-) from 0-6 months
(+) from 6 months to 2-5 years
(-) after 5 years of age

Question 16

AMPHIBIAN REACTION (lifelong)

Answer 16

Stimulus: while prone - lift pelvis on one side
(+) flexion of arm, hip, and knee on same side
(-) limb flexion response not elicited

(-) before 6 months

Question 17

LABYRINTHINE RIGHTING REFLEX (LIFELONG)

Answer 17

Stimulus: tilt head while eyes are closed
(+) head rights to upright position/finds horizon
(-) head does not right to upright position

(+) from age 6-8 months
(-) in people blind from birth