List of reflexes (alphabetical)

A list of reflexes in humans.


 * Achilles tendon reflex— jerking of the ankle when the Achilles tendon is hit with a tendon hammer while the foot is relaxed, stimulating the S1 reflex arc.


 * Accommodation reflex — coordinated changes in vergence, lens shape and pupil size when looking at a distant object after a near object.


 * Acoustic reflex or stapedius reflex or attenuation reflex — contraction of the stapedius and tensor tympani muscles in the middle ear in response to high sound intensities.


 * Asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR) or tonic neck reflex — in infants up to four months of age, when the head is turned to the side, the arm on that side will straighten and the contralateral arm will bend.


 * Babinski reflex


 * Baroreflex or baroreceptor reflex — homeostatic countereffect to a sudden elevation or reduction in blood pressure detected by the baroreceptors in the aortic arch, carotid sinuses, etc.


 * Biceps reflex — a jerking of the forearm when the biceps brachii tendon is struck with a tendon hammer, stimulating the C5 and C6 reflex arcs.


 * Brachioradialis reflex — a jerking of the forearm when the brachioradialis tendon is hit with a tendon hammer while the arm is resting, stimulating the C5 and C6 reflex arcs.


 * Babinski reflex — in infants up to one year of age, and also in older individuals with neurological damage, a spreading of the toes and extension of the big toe in response to stroking the side of the foot.


 * Blushing — a reddening of the face caused by embarrassment, shame, or modesty.


 * Corneal reflex — blinking of both eyes when the cornea of either eye is touched.


 * Cough reflex — a rapid expulsion of air from the lungs after sudden opening of the glottis, and usually following irritation of the trachea.


 * Crossed extensor reflex — a contraction of a limb in response to sensation of pain in the contralateral limb.


 * Eyeblink reflex


 * Flexion reflex


 * Galant reflex — in infants up to four months of age, a rotation of the upper body towards one or other side of the back when that side is stroked.


 * Hoffmans reflex


 * Knee jerk or patellar reflex — a kick caused by striking the patellar tendon with a tendon hammer just below the patella, stimulating the L4 and L3 reflex arcs.


 * Moro reflex — only in all infants/newborns up to 4 or 5 months of age: a sudden symmetric spreading of the arms, then unspreading and crying, caused by an unexpected loud noise or the sensation of being dropped. It is the only unlearned fear in humans.


 * Nystagmus


 * Palmar grasp reflex — in infants up to six months of age, a closing of the hand in response to an object being placed in it.


 * Photic sneeze reflex — a sneeze caused by sudden exposure to bright light.


 * Plantar reflex — in infants up to 1 year of age, a curling of the toes when something rubs the ball of the foot.


 * Pupillary accommodation reflex — a reduction of pupil size in response to an object coming close to the eye.


 * Pupillary light reflex — a reduction of pupil size in response to light.


 * Ocular accomodation


 * Orienting reflex


 * Rooting reflex — turning of an infant's head toward anything that strokes the cheek or mouth.


 * Shivering — shaking of the body in response to early hypothermia in warm-blooded animals.


 * Sneeze or sternutation — a convulsive expulsion of air from the lungs normally triggered by irritation of the nasal mucosa in the nose.


 * Startle reflex — see Moro reflex above.


 * Sternutation — see Sneeze above.


 * Suckling reflex — sucking at anything that touches the roof of an infant's mouth.


 * Triceps reflex — jerking of the forearm when the triceps tendon is hit with a tendon hammer, stimulating the C7 and C6 reflex arcs.


 * Vagovagal reflex — contraction of muscles in the gastrointestinal tract in response to distension of the tract following consumption of food and drink.


 * Vestibulo-ocular reflex — movement of the eyes to the right when the head is rotated to the left, and vice versa.


 * Yawning