Reflex Testing: Responses

Question 1

Rooting

Answer 1

After stimulation of the corners of the mouth, there is a directed head turning toward the stimulated side. With stimulation of the upper lip there is opening of the mouth and extension of the head. Following stimulation of the lower lip, the mouth opens and the jaw drops. In all instances the infant tries to suck the stimulating finger.

Question 2

Sucking

Answer 2

Rhythmical sucking movements.

Question 3

Moro

Answer 3

Abduction of the upper extremities with extension of the elbows, wrists and fingers, followed by subsequent adduction of the arms at the shoulders and flexion at the elbows. Infant likely to cry.

Question 4

Traction Response

Answer 4

Flexion of shoulders, elbows, wrist and fingers.

Question 5

Plantar Grasp

Answer 5

Plantar flexion of all toes.

Question 6

Flexor Withdrawal

Answer 6

Withdrawal of stimulated leg from the stimulus.

Question 7

Crossed Extension

Answer 7

Flexion, adduction and then extension of opposite lower extremity as if to push the examiner’s hand away.

Question 8

Extensor Thrust

Answer 8

Uncontrolled extension of stimulated leg (do not confuse with normal tickling response).

Question 9

Galant’s Response

Answer 9

Side bending of the trunk toward the stimulated side

Question 10

Neonatal Neck Righting (Immature Neck-on-Body)

Answer 10

The child’s body will follow the direction of the head turn, body turns as a whole.

Question 11

Immature Body-on-Body (BOB)

Answer 11

The thorax, chest and head will follow the pelvis as a whole.

Question 12

LE Proprioceptive Placing

Answer 12

Infant’s foot is lifted by flexion in knee and hip above table. The leg then extends and the foot is placed squarely on the table top.

Question 13

Neonatal Positive Supporting

Answer 13

Simultaneous contraction of flexors and extensors so as to bear weight on the lower extremities. Infant supports only a minimal amount of body weight. Characterized by partial flexion of the hips and knees.

Question 14

Spontaneous Stepping

Answer 14

Child will make alternating, rhythmical, and coordinated stepping movements.

Question 15

UE Proprioceptive Placing

Answer 15

Extremity flexes and the hand rises above the table. Extremity then extends with wrist extended and fingers extended and abducted, and places hand on the surface. Fingers may remain fisted in the newborn, and only extremity and wrist extend.

Question 16

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)

Answer 16

Prone: Flexor tone dominates, infant will not lift head or support weight on arms. Supine: Extensor tone dominates, infant will not flex during push to sit.

Question 17

Palmar Grasp

Answer 17

Infant’s fingers will flex around the examiner’s index finger.

Question 18

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)

Answer 18

UE and LE on jaw side extend. UE and LE on skull side flex.

Question 19

Optical Righting

Answer 19

Head orients to vertical position and is steady.

Question 20

Labyrinthine Righting

Answer 20

Head orients to vertical position and is steady.

Question 21

Body-on-Head Righting

Answer 21

Head moves away from the surface.

Question 22

Landau

Answer 22

Head extends, back and hips extend in sequence.

Question 23

UE Visual Placing

Answer 23

Infant will lift hand, extend and place it on the support with fingers extended and abducted.

Question 24

LE Visual Placing

Answer 24

Infant will immediately orient and place foot on top of table or supporting surface.

Question 25

Downward LE Protective Extension (LE Parachute)

Answer 25

Knee extension, hip abduction and lateral rotation, ankle dorsiflexion as if to break the fall.

Question 26

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)

Answer 26

Flexion of the head and neck produces flexion of the UEs and extension of the LEs. Extension of the head and neck produces extension of the UEs and flexion of the LEs.

Question 27

Mature Neck-on-Body

Answer 27

Rotation of shoulders, trunk, then pelvis to direction of head turn. Will roll to side or all the way to prone.

Question 28

Mature Body-on-Body

Answer 28

Rotation of trunk, shoulders, then head to roll to prone.

Question 29

Prone Tilting/Balance Reaction

Answer 29

Infant curves against the displacement of center of gravity, concavity of the spine upward away from the direction of tilt, the UE and LE may abduct.

Question 30

Amphibian

Answer 30

Automatic flexion of arm, hip and knee on same side.

Question 31

Forward UE Protective Extension (UE Parachute)

Answer 31

Infant extends and abducts UEs, fingers extend and spread as if to break the fall.

Question 32

Mature Positive Support/ Weight Bearing

Answer 32

Simultaneous contraction of the lower extremity flexors and extensors for full weight bearing on the lower extremities, hips and knees are extended.

Question 33

Sideways UE Protective Extension

Answer 33

UE abduction on side opposite force, with extension of elbow, wrist, and fingers before contact is made with the surface. Weight is taken on open palm and fingers.

Question 34

Supine Tilting/Balance Reaction

Answer 34

Infant curves against the displacement of center of gravity, concavity of the spine upward away from the direction of tilt. Head rotates toward the upper side. Slight abduction of the UE and LE may be seen.

Question 35

Sitting Tilting/Balance Reaction

Answer 35

Lateral tilt: Body remains upright and flexes against the tilt, with the concavity of the spine upward. Neck laterally flexes and head rotates slightly toward the upper side. The UE and LE on the upper side abduct while those on the lower side adduct and extend Anterior tilt: Body remains upright, spine extends, limbs retract. Posterior tilt: Body remains upright, spine flexes, and the limbs extend forward.

Question 36

Backward UE Protective Extension

Answer 36

Infant extends UEs backward. Full reaction is backward extension of both arms. Frequently an element of trunk rotation comes in and reaction is seen in one UE only.

Question 37

Quadruped Tilting/Balance Reaction

Answer 37

Lateral tilt: Body flexes against the tilt with the concavity of the spine upward. Head rotates slightly toward the upper side. UE and LE on the upper side flex while UE and LE on the lower side extend and abduct. Anterior tilt: UEs extend and LEs flex, head extends, trunk moves backward. Posterior tilt: Shoulders and hips extend, elbows and head flex, trunk moves forward.

Question 38

Standing Tilting/Balance Reaction

Answer 38

Lateral tilt: Body flexes against the tilt with the concavity of the spine upward. Upper LE flexes and upper UE abducts. Lower LE extends and braces strongly. Anterior tilt: Spine extends, LEs extend, UEs extend and retract. Posterior tilt: Spine flexes, LEs extend, shoulders flex, elbows extend.

Question 39

Postural Fixation Reactions

Answer 39

Elongation of trunk on weight bearing side as the weight shift occurs. Same as tilting reactions except occur during voluntary activity or because of external forces having been applied to the body when the base of support itself is stable.

Question 40

Staggering Reaction/ Stepping Response

Answer 40

Takes one or more steps forward, backward, to the side, or crossing over to maintain balance.