A deep reflex obtained by sharply tapping the skin over the tendon of a muscle. It is exaggerated in upper neuron disease and diminished or lost in lower neuron disease.
Let us explore a fascinating physiological phenomenon known as a reflex action, exemplified by the knee jerk reflex. In this reflex, a gentle impact to the tendon elicits an automatic response, causing the corresponding muscle to contract. This involuntary reaction is a protective mechanism of the body and occurs due to the stimulation of specialized nerve endings in the muscle-tendon complex. The swift contraction of the muscle in response to the tendon stimulation demonstrates the intricate and coordinated workings of the nervous system. Understanding the mechanisms underlying reflex actions enhances our comprehension of the body’s remarkable ability to respond rapidly to external stimuli.