SUPERFICIAL REFLEXES

INTRODUCTION

– They are elcited by stimulation of certain parts of the skin or mucous membrane and the end result being
contraction of one or more muscles.
- They are polysynaptic reflexes.
- They are lost in lesions of corticospinal tract.

REFLEXES METHOD OF ELICITING RESPONSE

CORNEAL REFLEX
Afferent V cranial nerve Touch the cornea with wisp of cotton just below the pupil Reflex blinking of both eyelids.
reflex centre pons brought in from the side of the patient.
Efferent VII cranial nerve

CONJUNCTIVAL REFLEX
Afferent V cranial nerve This reflex is performed similar to the corneal reflex but Reflex blinking of both eyelids.
reflex centre pons the conjunctiva is touched.
Efferent VII cranial nerve

PHARYNGEAL REFLEX
Afferent IX cranial nerve Stimulating the posterior pharyngeal wall with a cotton Contraction of the pharynx and
Efferent X cranial nerve stick. elevation of the pharyngeal wall

SCAPULAR REFLEX
Afferent C4&C5 Stroking skin in interscapular area. Contraction of the scapular muscles.
Efferent is dorsal scapular nerve.

ABDOMINAL REFLEX
(Epigastric T 7-9, upper abdominal T9-11, lower Lightly stroke the abdomen from without inwards in all Contraction of abdominal muscles.
abdominal T11-L1) quadrants on both sides.

CREMASTERIC REFLEX – (L1 & L2)

Afferent femoral nerve. Upper part of the inner thigh is lightly stroked downward Pulling up of the testis and scrotum on
Efferent Genito femoral nerve and inward. that side.

BULBOCAVERNOUS REFLEX-(S3&4)
Afferent pudendal nerve Squeezing the tip of the glans penis. Contraction of the bulbocavernous
Efferent pudendal nerve muscle.

ANAL REFLEX-(S4&S5)
Afferent pudendal nerve Lightly scratching the perianal skin. Contraction of the external anal
Efferent pudendal nerve sphincter.

PLANTAR REFLEX-(L5&S1)
NERVE- Posterior tibial nerve Muscles of the lower limb should be relaxed. Flexor response -
Knee is flexed and thigh externally rotated. flexion of the toes.
The outer end of the sole of the foot is stimulated by
using a key or a blunt object along it from the heel upto Extensor response -
the ball of the great toe. dorsiflexion of the great toe,
fanning of the other toes,
dorsiflexion of the ankle,
flexion of the knee and hip &
contraction of tensor fascia lata.

OTHER METHODS OF ELICITING PLANTAR REFLEX

1. Squeezing the calf or pressing heavily along the inner border of the tibia (oppenheim’s Reflex)
2. Hard squeezed on the calf muscles (Gordon’s reflex)
3. Light stroke below the external malleous on the outer surface of the foot. (Chaddock Reflex)
4. Squeezing Achilles Tendon. (Schaefer’s Sign).
5. Pin pick on the dorsum of the foot. (Bing Sign).

CONDITIONS WHERE BABINSKI’S SIGN IS POSITIVE

1. U.M.N. LESIONS
2. DEEP SLEEP
3. INFANTS
4. COMA
5. POST ICTAL STATE
6. HYPOGLYCEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY
7. HYPERTENSIVE ENCEPHALOPATHY
8. HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY