Superficial reflexes are reflexes stimulated by receptors in the skin or mucous membranes. There are several types including the abdominal, cremasteric, plantar, and withdrawal reflexes. The abdominal reflex involves contraction of abdominal muscles when the skin is stroked laterally. The cremasteric reflex causes testicle elevation when the thigh is stroked. The plantar reflex assesses the central nervous system by observing toe movement when the sole is scratched. The withdrawal reflex protects the body by flexing the limb away from painful stimuli.

1. Superficial
Reflexes
By: Ashaq Al-Qhtani & Waleed Aldosari

2. Superficial Reflexes
II
What are superficial reflexes?
they are reflexes in which their receptor lie in the skin or mucous
membrane.
procedure:
these reflexes consist of contraction of certain muscles as a result of
stimulation of particular area on the surface of the body e.g. skin and
mucous membrane.
Types of superficial reflexes?
1- Abdominal reflex.
2- Cremaster reflex.
3- Normal plantar reflex.
4- Withdrawal reflex.
Reflex arc:
1. Sensory receptors in the skin, muscles, and tendons
2. Afferent nerve fibers carry signals from the somatic receptors to
the posterior horn of the spinal cord or to the brainstem
3. An integrating center is the point at which the neurons that
compose the gray matter of the spinal cord or brainstem synapse
4. Efferent nerve fibers carry motor nerve signals to muscles
5. Effector muscle
Properties of reflex:
1- Adequate stimulus.
2- Localization.
3- Habitation.
4- Sensitization.
5- Low of projection.

3. Superficial Reflexes
III
Abdominal reflexes
Center: T7 – T12
Receptor: sensory receptor.
Procedure:
Make the subject lie down comfortably on a bed in the supine position.
Uncover the abdomen and see that his abdominal muscles are well
relaxed. With a blunt object gently stroke on the abdominal skin from
lateral to the medial aspect in all four quadrants.
Normal result:
Contraction of abdominal muscles and deviation of umbilicus toward
stimulated side.
Comment:
- Normal
- Abnormal: absent response can be
Physiological: due to obesity, tolerance, children
Pathological: absence can be due to upper and lower motor
neuron lesions as well as spinal injury T7 – T12
Significance:
The local contraction of the abdominal muscles to an abdominal sensory
stimulus was to protect the internal viscera from damage

4. Superficial Reflexes
IV
Cremasteric reflex
Center: L1
Receptor: sensory receptor.
Procedure:
Gentile stocking of the superior and medial (inner) part of the thigh.
To stimulate femoral nerve.
Normal response:
Contraction of Cremasteric muscle and pulls up the testis ipsilaterally (on
the same side of the body).
Comment:
- Normal
- Abnormal: may be absent with upper and lower motor neuron
disorders, as well as a spine injury of L1-L2 or with testicular
torsion .

5. Superficial Reflexes
V
Plantar Reflex
Indication: to diagnose meningitis
Center: s1
Procedure:
Scratch the lateral border of sole of the foot by a blunt object (key) from
heel upward from little toe then curved inward across the transfers arch
until big toe.
Responses:
There are three responses possible:
• Flexor: the toes curve down and inwards, and the foot everts; this is
the response seen in healthy adults. (A)
• Indifferent: there is no response (lower motor neuron lesion)
• Extensor: great toe dorsiflexes, and the other toes fan out; this is
Babinski's sign, which indicates damage to upper motor neuron
lesion in central nervous system. (B)
• Note: The Babinski response is also normal in children below 2 years
and while asleep and after a long period of walking.

6. Superficial Reflexes
VI
Withdrawal reflex
Also, it's called: nociceptive or flexor withdrawal reflex.
It is a spinal reflex intended to protect the body from damaging
stimuli.
It is polysynaptic; causing stimulation of sensory, association
and motor neurons.
Receptor: nociceptor.
Stimulus: painful stimuli.
Normal response:
- Flexion of stimulated limb to get away.
- Extension of opposite limb to support the body.