Knee-Jerk

Reflex or
Patellar Reflex
Definition

It is a sudden kicking
movement of the lower
leg in response to a
sharp tap on the
patellar tendon, which
lies below the kneecap

2
“Kick” - indicates that a section
of your spinal cord, and the
nerves extending from it, are
working properly.
Monosynaptic reflex

is a reflex arc that

provides direct
communication
between sensory and
motor neurons
innervating the muscle
4
It only takes about
50 milliseconds
between the tap
and the start of the
leg kick.

5
Purpose of
Testing
 The test assesses the
nervous tissue between and
including the L2 and L4
segments of the spinal cord.
DEMONSTRATION
How Patellar
Reflex works?
1 2
Afferent impulses
Tapping the travel to the
patellar ligament spinal cord,
excites muscle where synapses
spindles in the occur with motor
quadriceps neurons and
interneurons
1
Figure 0
3a 3b
The motor neurons The interneurons
make inhibitory
send activating
synapses with
impulses to the
ventral horn neurons
quadriceps, causing
that prevent
it to contract which
hamstrings from the
extends the leg at resisting contraction
the knee of the quadriceps
1
Figure 1
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2
CONDITIONS

Westphal's
sign

1
3
 It is the clinical correlate of
the absence or decrease of
patellar reflex or knee jerk.
 It has a clinical significance
used in determining
neurodisorders or diseases
CONDITIONS

Hyperthyroidism

1
5
 This condition can cause
too much thyroid hormone
to be released in your body.
This can cause the muscle
fibers to break down too
quickly, causing brisk
reflexes.
CONDITIONS

Anxiety

1
7
 The adrenaline rushes
caused by anxiety can
cause your reflexes to be
more responsive than
normal.
CONDITIONS

Parkinson’s
disease

1
9
 This condition alters brain
cells in ways that can make
movement difficult. It may
also lead to muscle
spasticity, which may cause
higher reflex responses
Thank you!

AYSON
CABANIG
CABAÑOG