Reflex

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Reflex (disambiguation). A reflex action, also known as a reflex, is an involuntary and nearly instantaneous movement in response to a stimulus.[1] A true reflex is a behavior which is mediated via the reflex arc; this does not apply to casual uses of the term 'reflex'.
Contents
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1 Reaction time 2 Human reflexes

o o o o o

2.1 Stretch reflexes 2.2 Reflexes involving cranial nerves 2.3 Reflexes usually only observed in human infants 2.4 Other reflexes 2.5 Grading

3 See also 4 References

[edit]Reaction

time

For a reflex, reaction time or latency is the time from the onset of a stimulus until the organism responds In animals, reaction time to visual stimuli is typically 150 to 300 milliseconds.[2]
[edit]Human [edit]Stretch

reflexes
reflexes

The stretch reflexes (often called deep tendon reflexes, though not to be confused with Golgi tendon reflexes) provide information on the integrity of the central nervous system andperipheral nervous system. Generally, decreased reflexes indicate a peripheral problem, and lively or exaggerated reflexes a central one.
  

Biceps reflex (C5, C6) Brachioradialis reflex (C5, C6, C7) Extensor digitorum reflex (C6, C7)

   

Triceps reflex (C6, C7, C8) Patellar reflex or knee-jerk reflex L2, L3, L4) Ankle jerk reflex (Achilles reflex) (S1, S2) Plantar reflex or Babinski reflex (L5, S1, S2)

While the reflexes above are stimulated mechanically, the term H-reflex refers to the analogous reflex stimulated electrically, and Tonic vibration reflex for those stimulated by vibration...
[edit]Reflexes Name

involving cranial nerves

Sensory Motor

Pupillary light reflex

II

III

Accommodation reflex

II

III

Jaw jerk reflex

Corneal reflex, also known as the blink reflex V

VII

Vestibulo-ocular reflex

VIII

III, IV, VI +

Gag reflex [edit]Reflexes

IX

usually only observed in human infants

Main article: Primitive reflexes

Grasp reflex

Newborn babies have a number of other reflexes which are not seen in adults, referred to as primitive reflexes.[3] These include:
       

Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR) Grasp reflex Hand-to-mouth reflex Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex Rooting reflex Sucking Symmetrical tonic neck reflex (STNR) Tonic labyrinthine reflex (TLR)

[edit]Other

reflexes

Other reflexes found in the central nervous system include:

     

Abdominal reflexes (T6-L1) Anocutaneous reflex (S2-S4) Cremasteric reflex (L1-L2) Mammalian diving reflex Muscular defense Scratch reflex

 

Startle reflex Withdrawal reflex



Crossed extensor reflex

Many of these reflexes are quite complex requiring a number of synapses in a number of different nuclei in the CNS (e.g., the escape reflex). Others of these involve just a couple of synapses to function (eg., the withdrawal reflex). Processes such as breathing, digestion, and the maintenance of the heartbeat can also be regarded as reflex actions, according to some definitions of the term.
[edit]Grading

In medicine, reflexes are often used to assess the health of the central nervous system. Doctors will typically grade the activity of a reflex on a scale from 0 to 4:[4]
Grade Description

Absent

1+ or +

Hypoactive

2+ or ++

"Normal"

3+ or +++

Hyperactive without clonus

4+ or ++++ Hyperactive with clonus [edit]