A primitive reflex elicited by mildly noxious mechanical stimulation of the sole of the foot. The normal adult responds with curling of the toes (plantar flexion). An individual whose corticospinal tract is not functioning correctly responds with extension of the great toe and fanning of the other toes (dorsiflexion). This abnormal response is also called the Babinski sign. It is seen in the normal infant under a year of age whose corticospinal tracts are not yet myelinated and in an adult whose corticospinal tracts have been injured in some way.
A normal reflex curling of the toes, especially in children over one year of age, resulting from stroking the sole of the foot. Newborns will flex the big toe and spread the other toes.
flexion of the toes when the sole of the foot is stroked firmly on the outer side from the heel to the front in persons over the age of 2 years; under 2 years the results should be extension of the toes (Babinski reflex)
A reflex response obtained by drawing a pointed object along the outer border of the sole of the foot from the heel to the little toe. The normal flexor response is a bunching and downward movement of the toes. An upward movement of the big toe is called an extensor response, or Babinski's Sign, which is a sensitive indicator of disease in the brain or spinal cord.
plantar flexion of the foot when the ankle is grasped firmly and the lateral border of the sole is stroked or scratched from the heel toward the toes.
Stroking of plantar surface of foot induces flexion of the foot muscles. In children, and adults with an upper motoneurone lesion, the response is extension of the foot. Thought to reflect lack of maturation of, or damage to upper parts of CNS.
In medicine (neurology), the Babinski reflex or Babinski sign is a reflex that can identify disease of the spinal cord and brain. It is more properly called the plantar reflex, as Babinski's sign in reality only refers to the pathological form.