8.Reflex. Normal reflexes. Pathological reflexes.

Question 1

What is a reflex and how is it classified?

Answer 1

A reflex is an involuntary response; classified as normal (physiological) or pathological

Question 2

What are normal reflexes?

Answer 2

Physiological responses indicating intact nervous system (e.g., deep tendon reflexes, superficial reflexes)

Question 3

What are pathological reflexes?

Answer 3

Abnormal reflexes indicating CNS damage, especially upper motor neuron lesions

Question 4

What does the presence of pathological reflexes usually indicate?

Answer 4

Upper motor neuron lesion or corticospinal tract damage

Question 5

What is the Babinski reflex and its significance?

Answer 5

Dorsiflexion of big toe with fanning → indicates UMN lesion (normal in infants)

Question 6

What are Hoffmann and Trömner reflexes?

Answer 6

Finger flexion after flicking finger → indicates UMN lesion (cervical cord involvement)

Question 7

What is clonus and what does it indicate?

Answer 7

Rhythmic involuntary muscle contractions → sign of UMN lesion

Question 8

What are primitive reflexes (grasp, palmomental)?

Answer 8

Return in adults indicates frontal lobe dysfunction

Question 9

What are other key pathological reflexes to know?

Answer 9

Chaddock, Gordon, Schaefer, Oppenheim (variants of Babinski)