Superficial Reflex Testing

Question 1

Abdominal Reflex

Answer 1

Procedure: Scratch each quadrant of the abdomen in a diagonal manner towards the umbilicus

Normal Response: Deviation of the umbilicus in the direction of the stimulus

Corresponds with innervation of thoracic levels

Question 2

Corneal “Blink” Reflex

Answer 2

Involved Cranial Nerves: Trigeminal and Facial Nerves

Procedure: Stroke cornea with piece of cotton

Normal Response: Both eyes will blink with contact to one eye

Question 3

Cremasteric Reflex

Answer 3

Procedure: Scratch the skin of the upper medial thigh

Normal Response: brisk and brief elevations of the testicle on the ipsilateral side

Question 4

Gag Reflex

Answer 4

involved Cranial Nerves: Glossopharyngeal and Vagus Nerve

Therapist lightly stimulates each side of the back of the throat and notes the reaction

Normal Response: A gag will occur post stimulation, may also be absent in some percentage of the normal population…. the gays

Question 5

Plantar Reflex (babinski)

Answer 5

Stroke the lateral aspect of the sole of the foot with the with blunt end of the reflex hammer

From heel of to the ball of the foot and medially to the base of the great toe

Normal response [flexion] of the toes

*Babinski Reflex is the abnormal response that can indicate lesion of the CNS
- splaying of the toes