A cutaneous reflex caused by irritation of the skin or of areas that depend on the spinal cord as a motor center (e.g., the scapular, epigastric, abdominal, cremasteric, gluteal, and plantar reflexes) or on centers in the medulla (e.g., the conjunctival, pupillary, and palatal reflexes). This reflex is induced by a very light stimulus, such as stroking the skin lightly with a soft cotton swab.