Glossary

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  • Placing reflex

    Flexion and then extension of an infant’s leg that occurs when an infant is held erect and the dorsum of one foot is dragged along the under edge of a table top. This reflex lasts from birth until age 6 weeks.  

  • Pharyngeal reflex

    An attempt to swallow following any application of stimulus to the pharynx.  

  • Penile reflex

    Sudden downward movement of the penis when the prepuce or gland of a completely relaxed penis is pulled upward.  

  • Paradoxical reflex

    A response to a stimulus that is unexpected and may be the opposite of what would be considered normal.  

  • Parachute reflex

    Extension of the arms, hands, and fingers when the infant is suspended in the prone position and dropped a short distance onto a soft surface. This reaction appears at age 9 months and persists. An asymmetrical response indicates a motor nerve abnormality.  

  • Palmomental reflex

    A contraction of the superficial muscles of the eye and chin produced on the same side as the palmar area that is stimulated by an examiner. This is an abnormal finding that indicates frontal disease. A contraction of the superficial muscles of the eye and chin produced on the same side as the palmar area…

  • Palatal reflex

    Swallowing induced by stimulation of the soft palate. The raising of the soft palate or the act of swallowing induced by touching the soft palate; both are lacking in cases of hysteria.  

  • Optical blink reflex

    Involuntary closure of the eyelids after exposure to a bright light source. Shining a bright light at an infant’s eyes causes the eyes to blink and the head to flex backward. If this reflex is absent, further testing of cranial nerves II, III, IV, and VI is required.  

  • Oculocephalic reflex

    The deviation of a person’s eyes to the opposite side when the head is rapidly rotated. This is a normal finding in neonates; in adults it is indicative of coma.  

  • Obliquus reflex

    Contraction of the entire external obliquus muscle on application of stimulus to the skin of the thigh below Poupart’s ligament.  

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