{"id":4765,"date":"2020-12-30T18:38:47","date_gmt":"2020-12-30T18:38:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vetmed.illinois.edu\/demo-sa-orthopedics\/?page_id=4765"},"modified":"2021-01-14T00:44:25","modified_gmt":"2021-01-14T00:44:25","slug":"rearlimb-reflexes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vetmed.illinois.edu\/demo-sa-orthopedics\/rearlimb-reflexes\/","title":{"rendered":"Rearlimb Reflexes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spinal reflexes<\/strong>\u00a0(myotactic reflexes) test the integrity of sensory and motor components of the reflex arc and the influence of descending motor pathways on the reflex. An absent or depressed reflex indicates complete or partial loss of either the sensory or motor nerves responsible for the reflex (lower motor neuron [LMN]) A normal reflex indices that sensory and motor nerves are intact. An exaggerated reflex indicates an abnormality in the descending pathways from the brain and spinal cord that normally inhibit the reflex (upper motor neuron [UMN]). In general, forelimb reflexes are not as reliable for localizing lesions as rear limb reflexes.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Sciatic Reflex<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>

The sciatic reflex<\/b> is performed with the animal in lateral recumbency. The area between the greater trochanter and the tuber ischii is located with the thumb or forefinger. When the thumb is struck briskly with a reflex hammer, the response is a flexion of the stifle and hock.<\/p>\n

The sciatic nerve originates form L5-L7 S1-S2 nerve roots. An exaggerated reflex indicates a lesion above these segments. Unilateral loss of the reflex suggests a sciatic nerve lesion, whereas bilateral loss suggests a segmental spinal cord lesion.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Sciatic Reflex Interactive Animation<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
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