Primitive reflexes are involuntary motor Motor Neurons which send impulses peripherally to activate muscles or secretory cells. Nervous System: Histology responses that can be elicited after birth. Although these reflexes are important for survival, they gradually disappear within the 1st year of life due to their inhibition by the developing frontal Frontal The bone that forms the frontal aspect of the skull. Its flat part forms the forehead, articulating inferiorly with the nasal bone and the cheek bone on each side of the face. Skull: Anatomy lobe. Lesions in this area of the CNS may cause the restoration of primitive reflexes as a result of loss of inhibition.
Last updated: 10 Jun, 2022
Suck-swallow reflex:
Contact with the infant’s
soft palate
Soft palate
A movable fold suspended from the posterior border of the hard palate. The uvula hangs from the middle of the lower border.
Palate: Anatomy stimulates suckling.
Palmar grasp reflex:
Sliding fingers across the infant’s palm elicits
flexion
Flexion
Examination of the Upper Limbs of their fingers and grasping of the examiner’s finger.
Babinski sign
Babinski sign
A reflex found in normal infants consisting of dorsiflexion of the hallux and abduction of the other toes in response to cutaneous stimulation of the plantar surface of the foot. In adults, it is used as a diagnostic criterion, and if present is a neurologic manifestation of dysfunction in the central nervous system.
Posterior Cord Syndrome:
Plantar stimulation by firmly stroking the lateral aspect of the sole of the
foot
Foot
The foot is the terminal portion of the lower limb, whose primary function is to bear weight and facilitate locomotion. The foot comprises 26 bones, including the tarsal bones, metatarsal bones, and phalanges. The bones of the foot form longitudinal and transverse arches and are supported by various muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Foot: Anatomy causes dorsiflexion of the large toe and fanning of the other toes.
Galant reflex:
Stroking along 1 side of the
spine
Spine
The human spine, or vertebral column, is the most important anatomical and functional axis of the human body. It consists of 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, and 5 lumbar vertebrae and is limited cranially by the skull and caudally by the sacrum.
Vertebral Column: Anatomy while the infant is held facing down causes lateral
flexion
Flexion
Examination of the Upper Limbs of the lower limbs toward the side of stimulation.
Reflex | Stimulus | Reaction | Disappears |
---|---|---|---|
Moro | Pull up → drop | Spreads arms → pulls them back | 3–6 months |
Rooting | Stroke cheek/mouth. | Orients mouth toward the stimulus | 4 months |
Palmar grasp | Slide finger across the palm. | Infant closes hand Hand The hand constitutes the distal part of the upper limb and provides the fine, precise movements needed in activities of daily living. It consists of 5 metacarpal bones and 14 phalanges, as well as numerous muscles innervated by the median and ulnar nerves. Hand: Anatomy around finger. | 6 months |
Babinski | Firmly stroke the sole of the foot Foot The foot is the terminal portion of the lower limb, whose primary function is to bear weight and facilitate locomotion. The foot comprises 26 bones, including the tarsal bones, metatarsal bones, and phalanges. The bones of the foot form longitudinal and transverse arches and are supported by various muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Foot: Anatomy. | Dorsiflexion of large toe; fanning of the other toes | 12 months |
Stepping | Placing infant’s soles flat on surface while holding infant | Walking motion | 2 months |
Tonic neck Neck The part of a human or animal body connecting the head to the rest of the body. Peritonsillar Abscess | Turning neck Neck The part of a human or animal body connecting the head to the rest of the body. Peritonsillar Abscess to side | Fencing posture | 5–7 months |
Galant | Stroke along 1 side of the spine Spine The human spine, or vertebral column, is the most important anatomical and functional axis of the human body. It consists of 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, and 5 lumbar vertebrae and is limited cranially by the skull and caudally by the sacrum. Vertebral Column: Anatomy while infant faces down. | Lateral movement of the limbs toward stimulated side | 6 months |
Upper motor neuron lesions Upper motor neuron lesions Upper motor neurons (UMNs) and lower motor neurons (LMNs) combine to form a neuronal circuit for movement. UMN lesions cause damage to neurons above the motor nuclei of the cranial nerves in the brain stem or the anterior horn cells in the spinal cord. LMN lesions affect the nerve fibers traveling from the anterior horn of the spinal cord to the peripheral muscle. Motor Neuron Lesions can cause disinhibition and deficits in judgement, orientation Orientation Awareness of oneself in relation to time, place and person. Psychiatric Assessment, and concentration. This type of lesion is also characterized by the restoration of primitive reflexes. The various reflexes manifesting in an adult can be helpful in identifying the location of the lesion in the CNS.