Superficial Reflex Testing

Question 1

What is Corneal Reflex and What are its afferent and efferent components?

Answer 1

Involuntary blinking in response to corneal stimulation

Afferent: ophthalmic branch (V1) of trigeminal nerve (5th nerve)

Efferent: facial nerve (7th nerve)

Question 2

Abdominal reflex (T7-T12)

Answer 2

Contraction of superficial abdominal muscles when stroking abdomen lightly (LATERAL TO MEDIAL)

Significant if asymmetric– usually signifies a UMN lesion on the absent side.

Question 3

Cremasteric reflex (T12-L1)

Answer 3

Contraction of cremaster muscle (that will pull up the scrotum/testis) after stroking the same side of superior/inner thigh

Absent with: SCI and corticospinal lesions.

Question 4

Plantar reflex (S1-S2, Tibial nerve)

Answer 4

The plantar flexion of toes (normal response) is elicited when stroking of the lateral sole of the foot from calcaneus to base of 5th metatarsal. [Make a 7]

Dorsiflexion of great toe and splaying/extension of the four small toes- Abnormal or “Babinski Response/Positive Babinski’s Sign”

• seen with corticospinal/UMN lesions.

Question 5

What is the Anal Reflex and what are its Afferent and Efferent Components?

Answer 5

Reflexive contraction of the external anal sphincter upon stroking the skin around the anus

Afferent: pudendal nerve
Efferent: S2-S4

Question 6

Bulbocavernosus reflex

Answer 6

Anal sphincter contraction in response to:
squeezing the glans penis
tugging on an indwelling Foley catheter

Reflex mediated by S2-S4

It is the first reflex to come after SCI- It is an indicator that the body is out of spinal shock.