What is the reflex when you hit your knee?

What is the reflex when you hit your knee?

patellar
The reflex that the doctor checks by tapping your knee is called the patellar, or knee-jerk, reflex. It is also known as a deep tendon reflex (DTR) because the doctor is actually tapping on a tendon called the patellar (say: puh-TEL-ur) tendon.

What is the patellar reflex an example of?

The patellar reflex is a clinical and classic example of the monosynaptic reflex arc. There is no interneuron in the pathway leading to contraction of the quadriceps muscle. Instead, the sensory neuron synapses directly on a motor neuron in the spinal cord.

When you have your annual physical the doctor taps your knee with a tiny hammer and you involuntarily jerk your leg this is an example of a?

monosynaptic reflex
The response to the tap of the rubber hammer is called a knee-jerk reflex, but scientists and doctors call it a monosynaptic reflex—the simplest reflex that occurs inside your body [2]. You may be wondering why it’s called monosynaptic because knee-jerk is easier to remember and spell.

How does the patellar reflex work?

knee-jerk reflex, also called patellar reflex, sudden kicking movement of the lower leg in response to a sharp tap on the patellar tendon, which lies just below the kneecap. In reaction these muscles contract, and the contraction tends to straighten the leg in a kicking motion.

What happens if you have no knee reflex?

In a normal test, your knee will extend and lift your foot a little. A decreased or absent reflex may mean that there is compression in the L2, L3, or L4 region.

What is the name of the stretch reflex that maintains your balance?

The stretch reflex (also called the myotatic reflex, the muscle stretch reflex and sometimes the knee-jerk reflex), is a pre-programmed response by the body to a stretch stimulus in the muscle.

What does it mean if you don’t have a reflex in your knee?

Patellar tendon reflex. In a normal test, your knee will extend and lift your foot a little. A decreased or absent reflex may mean that there is compression in the L2, L3, or L4 region.

What is the purpose of the knee jerk reflex?

Knee-jerk reflex, also called patellar reflex, sudden kicking movement of the lower leg in response to a sharp tap on the patellar tendon, which lies just below the kneecap. The sharp tap on the tendon slightly stretches the quadriceps, the complex of muscles at the front of the upper leg.

What is reflexreflex action?

Reflex action is a rapid, simple, automatic response to a stimulus that is not under the voluntary control of the brain. ii. It is an involuntary action. iii.

What are the steps in a knee-jerk reflex arc?

There are five steps in a knee-jerk reflex arc as follows: A tap on the patellar tendon (tendon attached to the kneecap) is sensed by stretch receptors in the muscle (muscle spindles).

Which action is mediated by the reflex arc?

These reflex actions are mediated via the reflex arc. 1. A receptor, which receives stimulus from the surroundings. 2. Afferent or sensory nerve, which takes a sensory impulse to the spinal cord or brain.