Reflex Testing Flashcards
Superficial Reflexes
Corneal reflex
Abdominal reflex (T7 - T12)
Cremasteric reflex (T12 - L1)
Plantar reflex (S1 - S2, Tibial nerve)
Anal
Bulbocavernosus
Corneal reflex
Involuntary blinking in response to corneal stimulation
Afferent: Ophthalmic branch (V1) of trigeminal nerve
Efferent: Facial Nerve (CN 7)
Abdominal Reflex (T7 - T12)
Contraction of superficial abdominal muscles when stroking abdomen lightly (Lateral to Medial).
Significant if asymmetric - usually signifies a UMN lesion on the absent side.
Cremasteric reflex (T12 - L1)
Contraction of cremaster muscle (that will pull up the scrotum/testis) after stroking the same side superior/inner thigh
Absent with: SCI and corticospinal lesions
Plantar reflex (S1 - S2, Tibial nerve)
Plantarflexion of toes is elicited when stroking of the lateral sole of the foot from calcaneus to base of 5th metatarsal.
Dorsiflexion of great toe and fanning of the four small toes - Abnormal or “Babinski Present” - seen with corticospinal/UMN lesions.
Anal reflex
Reflexive contraction of the external anal sphincter upon stroking the skin around the anus. (afferent: pudendal nerve, efferent: S2 - S4)
Bulbocavernosus reflex
Anal sphincter contraction in response to squeezing the glans penis or tugging on an indwelling Foley catheter.
Reflex mediated by S2 - S4.
First reflex to come after SCI - indicator that the body is out of Spinal Shock.
DTR - Reflex : Biceps
C5 - C6
DTR - Reflex : Brachioradialis
C5 - C6
DTR - Reflex : Triceps
C7 - C8
DTR - Reflex : Patellar
L2 - L4
DTR - Reflex : Achilles Tendon
S1 - S2
DTR - Reflex : Hamstrings
L5 - S2
DTR Grade 0
No response; always abnormal
DTR Grade 1+
Slight reflex, present but depressed, low normal
