Reflexes Lab

Assessment of motor function

Motor system • Inspection – Muscles: normal, atrophy, hypertrophy – Abnormal movements, postures

• Tone: by passive movement • Power: by active movement, against resistance • Reflexes: upper limb, lower limb

Tone • Checked when patient is completely relaxed. Passive movements at different speeds • Normal tone • Hypertonia • Hypotonia

Power • • • •

Grade according to MRC 5 Normal 4 Movement against resistance 3 Movement against gravity, but not resistance • 2 Movement with gravity eliminated • 1 Flicker • 0 No movement

Reflexes • • • •

Knee jerk Ankle jerk Biceps jerk Triceps jerk

This was a flexing of the big toe which may be accompanied by the fanning of the other toes when the lateral border of the sole of the foot is stroked.