Nervous Pt. 3

• Patellar Reflex - Knee-jerk reflex

  • Monosynaptic reflex arc
  • Motor (efferent) neurons send activating impulses to the quadriceps causing the muscles to contract and extend the knee
• Triceps Reflex - Deep tendon reflex

  • Contraction of the triceps muscle and extension of the elbow
  • Test the C7 and C8 nerve roots, and the radial nerve
• Plantar Reflex - Cutaneous receptor

  • Nociceptive segmental spinal reflex
  • Abnormal response indicates metabolic or structural abnormality in the corticospinal system
  • Babinski response: funning of the toes
  • Normal in infants
  • Abnormal in adults
• Pupillary Reflex - Assess the brainstem function

  • Abnormality: Optic nerve injury
  • Oculomotor nerve damage
  • Brainstem lesions; tumors