List of reflexes

A list of reflexes in humans.

• Accommodation reflex — coordinated changes in vergence, lens shape and pupil size when looking at a distant object after a near object.

• Acoustic reflex or stapedius reflex or attenuation reflex — contraction of the stapedius and tensor tympani muscles in the middle ear in response to high sound intensities.

• Ankle jerk reflex — jerking of the ankle when the Achilles tendon is hit with a tendon hammer while the foot is relaxed, stimulating the S1 reflex arc.

• Asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR) or tonic neck reflex — in infants up to four months of age, when the head is turned to the side, the arm on that side will straighten and the contralateral arm will bend.

• Baroreflex or baroreceptor reflex — homeostatic countereffect to a sudden elevation or reduction in blood pressure detected by the baroreceptors in the aortic arch, carotid sinuses, etc.

• Biceps reflex — a jerking of the forearm when the biceps brachii tendon is struck with a tendon hammer, stimulating the C5 and C6 reflex arcs.

• Brachioradialis reflex — a jerking of the forearm when the brachioradialis tendon is hit with a tendon hammer while the arm is resting, stimulating the C5 and C6 reflex arcs.

• Babinski reflex — in infants up to one year of age, and also in older individuals with neurological damage, a spreading of the toes and extension of the big toe in response to stroking the side of the foot.

• Blushing — a reddening of the face caused by embarrassment, shame, or modesty.

• Corneal reflex — blinking of both eyes when the cornea of either eye is touched.

• Cough reflex — a rapid expulsion of air from the lungs after sudden opening of the glottis, and usually following irritation of the trachea.

• Crossed extensor reflex — a contraction of a limb in response to sensation of pain in the contralateral limb.

• Galant reflex — in infants up to four months of age, a rotation of the upper body towards one or other side of the back when that side is stroked.

• Knee jerk or patellar reflex — a kick caused by striking the patellar tendon with a tendon hammer just below the patella, stimulating the L4 and L3 reflex arcs.

• Moro reflex — only in all infants/newborns up to 4 or 5 months of age: a sudden symmetric spreading of the arms, then unspreading and crying, caused by an unexpected loud noise or the sensation of being dropped. It is the only unlearned fear in humans.

• Palmar grasp reflex — in infants up to six months of age, a closing of the hand in response to an object being placed in it.

• Photic sneeze reflex — a sneeze caused by sudden exposure to bright light.

• Plantar reflex — in infants up to 1 year of age, a curling of the toes when something rubs the ball of the foot.

• Pupillary accommodation reflex — a reduction of pupil size in response to an object coming close to the eye.

• Pupillary light reflex — a reduction of pupil size in response to light.

• Rooting reflex — turning of an infant's head toward anything that strokes the cheek or mouth.

• Shivering — shaking of the body in response to early hypothermia in warm-blooded animals.

• Sneeze or sternutation — a convulsive expulsion of air from the lungs normally triggered by irritation of the nasal mucosa in the nose.

• Startle reflex — see Moro reflex above.

• Sternutation — see Sneeze above.

• Suckling reflex — sucking at anything that touches the roof of an infant's mouth.

• Triceps reflex — jerking of the forearm when the triceps tendon is hit with a tendon hammer, stimulating the C7 and C6 reflex arcs.

• Vagovagal reflex — contraction of muscles in the gastrointestinal tract in response to distension of the tract following consumption of food and drink.

• Vestibulo-ocular reflex — movement of the eyes to the right when the head is rotated to the left, and vice versa.

• sneeze with eyes open - your eyes will explode; no joke

References

• Adelman G and Smith B H (Eds) (2004). Encyclopedia of Neuroscience, 3rd Edition. Elsevier Press : Oxford, UK.