ABDOMINAL REFLEX Meaning and
Definition
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Abdominal reflex, also known as the abdominal cutaneous reflex or the superficial reflex, is a neurological reflex that involves the contraction of the abdominal muscles in response to the stimulation of the skin on the abdomen.
This reflex is elicited by stroking or tapping the skin of the abdomen, starting from one side and moving towards the midline. Normally, a gentle stimulus provokes a noticeable contraction or twitching of the abdominal muscles on the same side as the stimulation. The reflex is absent or diminished when there is damage to the spinal cord or certain neurological disorders.
The abdominal reflex is part of a group of superficial reflexes that are controlled by the nervous system and serve as important diagnostic and clinical tools for healthcare professionals. By testing the response of the abdominal muscles, physicians can assess the integrity of the nerves and spinal cord, as well as detect any abnormalities or lesions that may be affecting the reflex's proper functioning.
The abdominal reflex involves the coordination of sensory and motor nerve pathways. The sensory branch of the reflex is responsible for detecting the stimulus on the skin, which then sends signals to the spinal cord. The motor branch receives these signals and initiates the contraction of the abdominal muscles on the same side as the stimulus. This complex process requires the proper functioning of both the sensory and motor nerves involved in the reflex arc.
In summary, the abdominal reflex is a neurological reflex that involves the contraction of the abdominal muscles when the skin on the abdomen is stimulated. It is used clinically to assess nerve and spinal cord function.
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A contraction of the rectus abdominis muscle following scratching of the skin on its outer border.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ABDOMINAL REFLEX
- zbdominal reflex
- sbdominal reflex
- wbdominal reflex
- qbdominal reflex
- avdominal reflex
- andominal reflex
- ahdominal reflex
- agdominal reflex
- absominal reflex
- abxominal reflex
- abcominal reflex
- abfominal reflex
- abrominal reflex
- abeominal reflex
- abdiminal reflex
- abdkminal reflex
- abdlminal reflex
- abdpminal reflex
- abd0minal reflex
- abd9minal reflex
Etymology of ABDOMINAL REFLEX
The word "abdominal" comes from the Latin word "abdomen", which means "belly". It is derived from the Latin verb "abdere", meaning "to hide" or "to conceal". The word "reflex" comes from the Latin word "reflexus", which means "bent backward" or "turned back". It is derived from the Latin verb "reflectere", meaning "to bend back" or "to turn back". In the context of "abdominal reflex", it refers to an involuntary response or movement that occurs in the abdomen when certain areas are stimulated, leading to a reflexive contraction or relaxation of the abdominal muscles.
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