What is a tendon reflex test?
Tendon reflexes are elicited by striking a tendon with a patellar hammer. This stretches the muscle and triggers a volley of afferent impulses from its muscle spindles.
What does 1+ reflexes mean?
1+ = a slight but definitely present response; may or may not be normal. 2+ = a brisk response; normal. 3+ = a very brisk response; may or may not be normal. 4+ = a tap elicits a repeating reflex (clonus); always abnormal.
What is the normal response of the biceps reflex?
The examiner prompts the brachioradialis reflex by tapping the brachioradialis muscle tendon at its point of insertion onto the styloid process of the radius. A normal reflex would produce flexion and supination of the forearm.
What nerve does the biceps reflex test?
Specifically, the test activates the stretch receptors inside the biceps brachii muscle which communicates mainly with the C5 spinal nerve and partially with the C6 spinal nerve to induce a reflex contraction of the biceps muscle and jerk of the forearm.
What is the deep tendon reflex?
Deep tendon reflexes, more properly referred to as muscle stretch reflexes, are an integral part of the neurological examination. In its simplest form, the quick stretch of the muscle-tendon unit stimulates the muscle spindle receptors which, in turn increases the firing of Ia afferents from the spindles.
What does the biceps reflex test for?
Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Biceps reflex is a reflex test that examines the function of the C5 reflex arc and the C6 reflex arc. The test is performed by using a tendon hammer to quickly depress the biceps brachii tendon as it passes through the cubital fossa.
What is the Golgi tendon organ reflex?
The Golgi tendon reflex (also called inverse stretch reflex, autogenic inhibition, tendon reflex) is an inhibitory effect on the muscle resulting from the muscle tension stimulating Golgi tendon organs (GTO) of the muscle, and hence it is self-induced.
What is the root of the triceps reflex?
The triceps reflex, a deep tendon reflex, is a reflex as it elicits involuntary contraction of the triceps brachii muscle. It is initiated by the Cervical (of the neck region) spinal nerve 7 nerve root. The triceps reflex is mediated by the C6 and C7 nerve roots, predominantly by C7.
What is the biceps tendon reflex?
The biceps reflex is a type of tendon reflex which occurs when pressure is applied to a muscle in the bicep.
What is reflex scale?
Reflex tests use a typical scale from 0 to 4+. While 2+ is considered normal, some healthy individuals are hypo-reflexive and register all reflexes at 1+, while others are hyper-reflexive and register all reflexes at 3+.