A reflex refers to an automatic, involuntary response of an organ tissue, such as a muscle or gland, to a stimulus.
One can distinguish physiologic (“natural” or age-appropriate) reflexes from pathologic (abnormal) reflexes (ICD-10-GM R29.2 abnormal reflexes) as well as primitive reflexes.
Physiological reflexes, in turn, can be divided into intrinsic and extrinsic reflexes. In the case of the intrinsic reflex, the receptor and success muscle are identical, whereas in the case of the extrinsic reflex they are not.
Pathological reflexes occur in the context of diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), they are not observed in healthy persons. They are always foreign reflexes. They occur when there is damage to the pyramidal tract (pyramidal tract signs) or to the first motor neuron by spinal automatisms. Pyramidal tract signs are still physiological in the newborn.
Pathological reflexes can be a symptom of many diseases (see under “Differential diagnoses”).
Frequency peak: Primitive reflexes (early infantile reflexes) occur in newborns and infants.
Course and prognosis: Reflexes cannot be suppressed or controlled. Pathologic reflexes are considered indicative of a disease process.
