Neurological Exam

Question 1

What are the spinal roots for leg movements

Answer 1

Hip flexion - L1/L2.
Hip extension - L4/L5/S1
Knee flexion - S1,
Knee extension - L3/L4,
Ankle dorsiflexion - L4/L5,
Great toe dorsiflexion - L5,
Ankle planterflexion - S1/S2

Question 2

What are the spinal roots for the knee jerk?

Answer 2

L3/L4

Question 3

What are the spinal roots for the ankle jerk?

Answer 3

S1

Question 4

What are the spinal roots for the babinski sign?

Answer 4

L5/S1

Question 5

What are the spinal roots for the arm movements?

Answer 5

Should abduction - C5,
Elbow flexion - C6,
Elbow extension - C7,
Wrist extension - C7,
Finger/thumb abduction - C8/T1

Question 6

What are the spinal roots for the biceps reflex?

Answer 6

C5/C6

Question 7

What are the spinal roots for the triceps reflex?

Answer 7

C7

Question 8

What are the spinal roots for the brachioradialis reflex?

Answer 8

C5/C6

Question 9

What are the signs of an upper motor neuron lesion?

Answer 9

• No fasciculations or wasting,
• Increased tone and clonus,
• UMN lesion pattern of weakness (arm flexors stronger than extensors and leg extensors stronger than flexors),
• Hyperreflexia,
• Positive babinski

Question 10

What are the signs of a lower motor neuron lesion?

Answer 10

• Muscle wasting and fasciculations,
• Hypotonia or normal tone,
• Different patterns of weakness depending on cause,
• Hyporeflexia or Areflexia,
• Normal/no babinski