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You probably found that you could increase the quadriceps reflex action by having the subject clasp fingers and pull the arms in opposite directions. Why do you think this helps produce the reflex?

You probably found that you could increase the quadriceps reflex action by having the subject clasp fingers and pull the arms in opposite directions. Why do you think this helps produce the reflex?

Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy & Physiology
1st Edition
ISBN:9781938168130
Author:Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Peter DeSaix, Dean H. Kruse, Brandon Poe, Eddie Johnson, Jody E. Johnson, Oksana Korol, J. Gordon Betts, Mark Womble
Publisher:Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Peter DeSaix, Dean H. Kruse, Brandon Poe, Eddie Johnson, Jody E. Johnson, Oksana Korol, J. Gordon Betts, Mark Womble
Chapter16: The Neurological Exam
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 7ILQ: Watch this video (http://openstaxcollege.org/l/reflextest) to see how to test reflexes in the...
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You probably found that you could increase the quadriceps reflex action by having the subject clasp fingers and pull the arms in opposite directions. Why do you think this helps produce the reflex?
PROCEDURE: PART I: Quadriceps Reflex ("Knee Jerk") 1. This reflex is probably most easily produced if the subject sits on a desk or a table with both legs hanging loosely. It may be helpful here to have the subjects roll up their pants above the knee (only if they are comfortable to do so). 2. The tendon that attaches the quadriceps muscle to the lower leg bone (tibia) runs across the patella. Striking that tendon with a reflex hammer stretches the muscle, which brings on the "knee jerk" reflex. Test for the knee jerk reflex by giving your subject a sharp tap just below the patella. 3. You may wish to try an alternative technique. Place your finger on the tendon and tap your finger. This technique demands less accuracy than the hammer blow. 4. Sometimes a reflex is inhibited by the brain. Your subject may be a little tense, causing the quadriceps muscle to be partially contracted. The subject may not be sufficiently relaxed to give the normal response. Neurologists cause their subjects to relax one muscle by having their subjects concentrate on other muscles. For example have your subject hook their fingers together and pull. While your subject is doing this, repeat steps 1 to 3. 5. RECORD YOUR OBSERVATIONS ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET
Transcribed Image Text:PROCEDURE: PART I: Quadriceps Reflex ("Knee Jerk") 1. This reflex is probably most easily produced if the subject sits on a desk or a table with both legs hanging loosely. It may be helpful here to have the subjects roll up their pants above the knee (only if they are comfortable to do so). 2. The tendon that attaches the quadriceps muscle to the lower leg bone (tibia) runs across the patella. Striking that tendon with a reflex hammer stretches the muscle, which brings on the "knee jerk" reflex. Test for the knee jerk reflex by giving your subject a sharp tap just below the patella. 3. You may wish to try an alternative technique. Place your finger on the tendon and tap your finger. This technique demands less accuracy than the hammer blow. 4. Sometimes a reflex is inhibited by the brain. Your subject may be a little tense, causing the quadriceps muscle to be partially contracted. The subject may not be sufficiently relaxed to give the normal response. Neurologists cause their subjects to relax one muscle by having their subjects concentrate on other muscles. For example have your subject hook their fingers together and pull. While your subject is doing this, repeat steps 1 to 3. 5. RECORD YOUR OBSERVATIONS ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET
LABORATORY ACTIVITY - EXPLORING REFLEXES INTRODUCTION: The reflexes of the body are useful for checking out many portions of the nervous system. If the neurons that make up a reflex arc are not functioning properly, the normal reflex may be absent or at least reduced. In addition if the brain neurons that inhibit the reflex are not functioning properly, the reflex may be stronger than normal. A normal response may vary quite a lot from one person to the next. So the important question, usually, is whether both halves of the patient behave alike. A strong knee jerk may not be significant if both legs show a strong reflex. But if one is weak, something could be wrong. In this activity you will examine several different reflexes. There are many more that may be used to test other parts of the body, but these are among the most commonly tested. It would be a good idea to compare reflexes on both sides of your subject's body to see whether they are equally vigorous. Don't be alarmed if the responses differ a little since reflex action is very sensitive to (1) getting the subject to relax completely, (2) locating the exact point to stimulate, and (3) applying the right amount of force. In all tests, you and the other students in your group should take turns as tester and subject. The activity is designed to be performed in any order. In other words, it is not necessary to do Part I before Part II and so on. MATERIALS: reflex hammer clear plastic sheet pencil with eraser tip phone light
Transcribed Image Text:LABORATORY ACTIVITY - EXPLORING REFLEXES INTRODUCTION: The reflexes of the body are useful for checking out many portions of the nervous system. If the neurons that make up a reflex arc are not functioning properly, the normal reflex may be absent or at least reduced. In addition if the brain neurons that inhibit the reflex are not functioning properly, the reflex may be stronger than normal. A normal response may vary quite a lot from one person to the next. So the important question, usually, is whether both halves of the patient behave alike. A strong knee jerk may not be significant if both legs show a strong reflex. But if one is weak, something could be wrong. In this activity you will examine several different reflexes. There are many more that may be used to test other parts of the body, but these are among the most commonly tested. It would be a good idea to compare reflexes on both sides of your subject's body to see whether they are equally vigorous. Don't be alarmed if the responses differ a little since reflex action is very sensitive to (1) getting the subject to relax completely, (2) locating the exact point to stimulate, and (3) applying the right amount of force. In all tests, you and the other students in your group should take turns as tester and subject. The activity is designed to be performed in any order. In other words, it is not necessary to do Part I before Part II and so on. MATERIALS: reflex hammer clear plastic sheet pencil with eraser tip phone light
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