MLS111 Laboratory ACTIVITY 7B: The Nervous System: Cranial nerves and Reflexes
Reflex: a fast, involuntary, unplanned sequence of actions that occurs in response to a particular stimulus
REFLEX TESTS
A. Organic Reflexes
1. Photopupillary Reflex
*** Direct light reflex: pupillary response II (Optic Nerve)
on the eye where light is directed.
Consensual light reflex: is the response of
the opposite eye while the light is directed
on the other eye.
2. Accomodation Reflex
3. Spinal Reflex
B. Tendon / Myotactic / Stretch Reflex
1. Knee Jerk / Patellar Reflex
Aka Quadriceps Reflex
2. Achilles Tendon / Ankle Reflex
***Achilles Tendon aka
Calcaneal Tendon
3. Biceps Reflex
4. Triceps Reflex
C. Cutaneous / Superficial Reflexes
1. Corneal Reflex / Blink Reflex
NERVES EVALUATED PROCEDURE NORMAL RESPONSE
Cranial Nerves: 1. Observe and observe size of pupil of subject. If light is directed towards the eye 
2. Shine a penlight on the eye starting from the lateral side slowly towards Pupil constriction (decrease in size);
III (Oculomotor Nerve) the front of the eye. Responsible muscle: Sphincter muscle fibers
3. Repeat and observe the opposite eye. If light torch is distant 
4. Repeat procedure on the other eye. Pupil dilation (increase in size);
Responsible muscle: Dilator muscle fibers
Cranial Nerves: 1. Let the subject look far and note for the size of the pupils. a. Pupil Accommodation (similar with
II (Optic Nerve) 2. Now let him fix his gaze at an object 14 inches away. Photopupillary Reflex)
III (Oculomotor Nerve) b. Lens Accomodation (increase lens
curvature to increase focusing power;
muscle responsible: Ciliary muscles)
c. Convergence in Accommodation (eyes
direct nasally/towards the center;
muscles responsible: Contraction of
medial rectus and relaxation of lateral
rectus)
T1, T2 1. Note the size of the pupil of the subject then pinch the skin on the nape. Rapid dilation of the ipsilateral pupil by 1 -2
2. Continue observing the size of the pupil as pain is applied. mm
L2, L3, L4 1. Ask your partner to sit down with the right leg comfortably crossed over Extension of the leg at the knee joint by
the left. contraction of the quadriceps femoris muscles
2. Stretch the right patellar tendon with the side of your hand or with a
neuralgic hammer.
3. Observe what happens to the leg.
S1 1. Flex the leg of the knee. Plantar flexion of the foot by contraction of the
2. Dorsiflex the foot of the leg being examined gastrocnemius and soleus
3. Hold the foot lightly in the nondominant hand and strike the Achilles
tendon with the reflex hammer.
C5, C6 1. Support your partner’s lower arm with your nondominant hand and arm. Flexion of the elbow by contraction of the
The arm needs to be slightly flexed at the elbow with palm up. biceps muscle
2. Place the thumb of your nondominant hand over the biceps tendon.
3. Using the reflex hammer, briskly tap your thumb.
C6, C7 1. Flex the arm of your partner at the elbow and support it in the palm of Extension of the elbow by contraction of triceps
your nondominant hand. muscle
2. Palpate the triceps tendon about 2-5 cm. above the elbow.
3. Deliver a blow with the reflex hammer directly on the tendon and observe
what happens.
Cranial Nerves: 1. The subject is directed to look upward or away from the side being Blinking by orbicularis oculi muscle (0.1
V (Trigeminal Nerve) tested. second)
VII (Facial Nerve)
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2. Pharyngeal Reflex / Gag Reflex /
Palatal Reflex
3. Superficial Abdominal Reflex
4. Plantar Reflex
2. A clean cotton wool twisted into a tight bone is gently placed on the
cornea, made from the outside of the temporal field of vision as to
prevent blinking.
Cranial Nerves: 1. Let the subject open wide his mouth and say “Ah”. Pharyngeal elevation/soft palate elevation with
IX (Glossopharyngeal) 2. With a tongue depressor, touch the walls of the oropharynx. tongue retraction
X (Vagus Nerve)
Above the Umbilicus: 1. Proper relaxation is obtained with the subject lying supine with the knees Contraction of abdominal muscles and
T8, T9, T10 drawn up, arms hanging loosely on the sides and eyes closed. A few deep deviation of umbilicus toward the stimulated
breaths will also help. side
Below the Umbilicus: 2. With a BLUNT object (handle of the reflex hammer or key), diagonal or
T10, T11, T12 horizontal strokes are made on each abdominal quadrants directed
TOWARDS the umbilicus.
L5 to S2 1. Using a blunt object, stroke the lateral aspect of the sole from the heel to Plantar flexion or curling of toes especially the
the base of the big toe. big toe
2. Note the reaction of the toes.
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