Pathological Reflexes

Front 1

What does the presence of a pathological reflex mean?

Back 1

It's presence indicates an Upper Motor Neuron Lesion.

Front 2

Describe the Babinski response. How is it abnormal?

Back 2

The Babinksi response is dorsiflexion of great toe with splaying of other toes.

The normal plantar response is all toes down (plantarflexion)

Front 3

What is the test for the Babinski response?

Back 3

Stroke the lateral side of the sole of the foot to the big toe.

Front 4

What is this test and how is it performed?

Back 4

Chaddock reflex;

Stroke lateral malleolus to fifth toe;

look for Babinski-like response

Front 5

What is this test and how is it performed?

Back 5

Oppenheim reflex;

Stroke down tibial crest to the ankle;

look for Babinski-like response

Front 6

What is this test and how is it performed?

Back 6

Gordon's Calf;

Squeeze the calf behind and below the knee;

Look for Babinski-like response

Front 7

What is this test and how is it performed?

Back 7

Schaeffer;

Squeeze Achilles tendon;

Look for Babinksi-like response

Front 8

What is this test and how is it performed?

Back 8

Rossolimo;

Tap the ball of the foot

Front 9

What is a Rossolimo response?

Back 9

Plantar flexion of great toe with curling of the other toes

Front 10

What is this test and how is it performed?

Back 10

Hoffman;

Flick the tip of the middle finger (fingernail) down

Front 11

What is the Hoffman response?

Back 11

Flexion and adduction of the thumb and flexion of the fingers (clawing)

Front 12

What is this test and how is it performed?

Back 12

Tromner;

Tap the tips of the middle 3 fingers up

Front 13

What is the Tromner response?

Back 13

Flexion and adduction of the thumb and flexion of the fingers.

Front 14

What is this test and how is it performed?

Back 14

Gordon's Finger;

Stroke the pisiform from below to top

Front 15

What is the Gordon's Finger response?

Back 15

Flexion of wrist and fingers or thumb and index finger

Front 16

In what test does the examiner stroke the distant ulnar side of the forearm near the wrist?

Back 16

Chaddock's Wrist (no photo available)

Front 17

What is a Chaddock's Wrist response?

Back 17

Flexion of wrist with extension and fanning of the fingers

Front 18

What part of the body is involved in tests of the Babinksi, Chaddock, Oppenheim, Gordon's Calf, Schaeffer and Rossolimo's reflexes - upper or lower body extremities?

Back 18

Lower body extremities

Front 19

What part of the body is involved in tests of the Hoffman, Tromner, Gordon's Finger, and Chaddock's Wrist reflexes-upper or lower body extremities?

Back 19

Upper body extremities