The deep tendon and the abdominal reflexes.
The deep tendon reflexes (and the abdominal reflexes) are important physical signs which have a special place in neurological diagnosis, particularly in early disease when they alone may be abnormal. They act as "hard" signs in situations where clinical assessment is complicated by patient anxiety, and become more useful as clinical experience develops.
Dick
J P R
JP
Greater Manchester Neuroscience Centre, Hope Hospital, Salford M8 6HD, UK. jeremy.dick@smuht.nwest.nhs.uk
D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012020:Reflex, Abdominal / Q000502:physiology*; D012021:Reflex, Abnormal / Q000502:physiology*; D012026:Reflex, Stretch / Q000502:physiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000503:physiopathology