Abdominal reflex
An abdominal reflex is a superficial neurological reflex stimulated by stroking of the abdomen around the umbilicus. It can be helpful in determining the level of a CNS lesion. Being a superficial reflex, it is polysynaptic.[1]
Roots involved
Thoracic 7th - 12th segments are involved [2]
Absent abdominal reflex
Abdominal reflex is noted as either present or absent. An absent response can be physiological. Physiological absent response can be due to obesity, tolerance, children, multiparous lax abdominal wall. Pathological absence can be due to
- Multiple sclerosis
- Motor neuron disease (late)
- Neurogenic bladder
- Brown-Séquard syndrome
- Chiari malformations
Evolutionary significance
The local contraction of the abdominal muscles to an abdominal sensory stimulus was to protect the internal viscera from damage. [4]
References
- ^ "Dartmouth college". Retrieved 5 February 2013.
- ^ "Dartmouth college". Retrieved 5 February 2013.
- ^ "Absent Abdominal Reflex". Retrieved 5 February 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Abdominal Reflex Evolutionary Significance". Retrieved 5 February 2013.