- reflex hammer
- a type of percussion hammer used to tap tendons, nerves, or muscles to test various reflexes, such as the patellar reflex.
Medical dictionary. 2011.
reflex hammer
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Reflex hammer — A reflex hammer is a medical instrument used by physicians to test deep tendon reflexes. Testing for reflexes is an important part of the neurological physical examination in order to detect abnormalities in the central or peripheral nervous… … Wikipedia
reflex hammer — noun A tool used by physician to hit the body and test for certain reflexes … Wiktionary
reflex — [[t]ri͟ːfleks[/t]] reflexes 1) N COUNT A reflex or a reflex action is something that you do automatically and without thinking, as a habit or as a reaction to something. Walsh fumbled in his pocket, a reflex from his smoking days... I turned to… … English dictionary
reflex — re|flex [ˈri:fleks] n [Date: 1500 1600; : Latin; Origin: , past participle of reflectere; REFLECT] 1.) reflexes [plural] a) the natural ability to react quickly and well to sudden situations have good/quick/slow reflexes ▪ A tennis player needs… … Dictionary of contemporary English
Triceps reflex — The triceps reflex, a deep tendon reflex, is a reflex as it involuntary contraction of the triceps brachii muscle. It is initiated by the Cervical (of the neck region) spinal nerve 7 nerve root (the small segment of the nerve that emerges from… … Wikipedia
Acoustic reflex — The acoustic reflex (stapedius reflex, attenuation reflex, or auditory reflex) is an involuntary muscle contraction that occurs in the middle ear of mammals in response to high intensity sound stimuli.When presented with a high intensity sound… … Wikipedia
Patellar reflex — The patellar reflex or knee jerk is a stretch reflex and is a myotatic reflex. MechanismStriking the patellar tendon with a tendon hammer just below the patella stretches the quadriceps tendon. This stimulates stretch sensory receptors (most… … Wikipedia
Biceps reflex — A reflex test that examines the function of the C5 reflex arc and to a lesser degree the C6 reflex arc. The test is performed by using of a tendon hammer to quickly depress the biceps brachii tendon as it passes through the cubital fossa.… … Wikipedia
Brachioradialis reflex — The brachioradialis reflex is observed during a neurological exam by striking the brachioradialis tendon directly with a hammer when the patient s arm is resting [http://edinfo.med.nyu.edu/courseware/neurosurgery/reflexes.html] . This reflex is… … Wikipedia
jaw-jerk reflex — an abnormal reflex elicited by lightly placing the index finger across the chin of the patient and tapping it with a tendon hammer while the jaw hangs loosely open. A brisk upward movement of the jaw indicates an upper motor neurone disorder… … The new mediacal dictionary
