The reflex exam is fundamental to the neurological exam and important to locating upper versus lower motor neuron lesions. There are five deep tendon reflexes and a number of superficial …

The reflex is an automatic response to a stimulus that does not receive or need conscious thought as it occurs through a reflex arc. Reflex arcs act on an impulse before that impulse reaches …

In a normal person, when a muscle tendon is tapped briskly, the muscle immediately contracts due to a two-neuron reflex arc involving the spinal or brainstem segment that innervates the …

Nov 11, 2025 · Reflexes are quick reactions your body makes without thinking — like shivering when you’re cold or moving away from danger. They help keep you safe, steady and …

The normal reflex response is flexion of the great toe. An abnormal response is slower and consists of extension of the great toe with fanning of the other toes and often knee and hip …

Dec 15, 2025 · Normal deep tendon reflexes are an important indicator of a healthy nervous system, particularly the peripheral nerves and spinal cord segments involved in the reflex arcs.

Reflexes are graded on a scale of 0 to 4. A grade of 2 indicates normal reflexes. A grade of 3 indicates hyperreflexia; 4 indicates hyperreflexia with clonus. Decreased relexes are indicated …

Your brain gets involved by modifying and fine-tuning reflex actions. For example, when you trip and fall, reflexes automatically command your hands and arms to reach out and break your fall.

Describe the following reflexes and name all components of each reflex arc: stretch reflex, (Golgi) tendon reflex, flexor (withdrawal) reflex, and crossed-extensor reflex. Reflexes can be spinal or …

Sep 13, 2023 · This article will define reflexes, explain their purpose and how they work, and describe different types of reflexes.