Which reflex is tested when the lateral aspect of the foot is stroked?

The reflex that is tested when the lateral aspect of the foot is stroked is known as the Babinski reflex. This is a normal reflex that is often evaluated in infants to assess neurological function. When the sole of the foot is stroked, if the big toe extends upward and the other toes fan out, this indicates a positive Babinski response, which is expected in infants. In older children and adults, a normal response would be to curl the toes downward, and an upward response may signal potential neurological issues.

The Babinski reflex is part of the assessment of the integrity of the nervous system, particularly the pathways in the upper motor neurons. The presence of the Babinski reflex in adults may indicate damage or dysfunction in the corticospinal tract.

Other reflexes mentioned are tested in different contexts: the patellar reflex (knee-jerk) involves the rapid contraction of the quadriceps muscle when the patellar tendon is tapped, the withdrawal reflex is a protective reflex triggered by pain that causes withdrawal from a harmful stimulus, and the grasp reflex is a primitive reflex seen in infants where they instinctively grasp an object placed in their palm. While these reflexes are also important in neurological assessments, they are not related to the lateral stroking of