reflex hammer
Patellar testing tool
A reflex hammer is a small mallet used by physicians to test neurological reflexes.
The doctor taps specific points—typically the knee or elbow—and observes the involuntary muscle response.
Also called a percussion hammer or Taylor hammer after the neurologist who designed the common triangular-headed version.
Clinical nervous system evaluation
- percussionSound through impact
- clonusRhythmic involuntary muscle contractions
- knee-jerkInstinctive and unconsidered
- leg swingPendular limb movement
Nerve cell activating muscles
- spinal cordBrain's extension through vertebrae
- nerve rootSpinal cord's branching origin
- synapseNerve signal crossing point
- quadricepsFour-part thigh muscle
involuntary response · neuromuscular · motor function · peripheral nerve · interneuron
Injured neural tissue
- neuropathyDamage to peripheral nerves
- radiculopathyCompressed spinal nerve condition
- upper motor neuronCentral nervous system motor cell
- lower motor neuronNerve directly innervating muscle
demyelination · multiple sclerosis · Parkinson's · cerebral palsy · disc herniation · nerve compression · differential diagnosis
neurological exam
Clinical nervous system evaluation
- percussionSound through impact
- clonusRhythmic involuntary muscle contractions
- knee-jerkInstinctive and unconsidered
motor neuron
Nerve cell activating muscles
- spinal cordBrain's extension through vertebrae
- nerve rootSpinal cord's branching origin
- synapseNerve signal crossing point
quadriceps · involuntary response · neuromuscular · motor function · peripheral nerve · interneuron
nerve damage
Injured neural tissue
- neuropathyDamage to peripheral nerves
- radiculopathyCompressed spinal nerve condition
- upper motor neuronCentral nervous system motor cell
lower motor neuron · demyelination · multiple sclerosis · Parkinson's · cerebral palsy · disc herniation · nerve compression · differential diagnosis
diagnostic device
Tool identifying system problems
- examination roomMedical assessment chamber
- clinicexam table, examination table, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, otoscope
- doctor's officedoctor, appointment, checkup, exam room, examination table
- health equipmentstethoscope, bandage, gauze, syringe, needle
- medical toolsstethoscope, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, catheter, syringe
- reflexesknee jerk, knee-jerk, clonus, blink, flinch
- striking toolshammers, rubber mallet, mallets, mallet, wooden mallet
reflex hammerstethoscope
Medical listening instrument
electroencephalograph · MRI machine · blood pressure cuff · thermometer · ophthalmoscope
reflex hammerstethoscope
Medical listening instrument
pulse oximeter · thermometer · electrocardiogram · blood pressure monitor · MRI
reflex hammerstethoscope
Medical listening instrument
swab · observation · palpation
hammer, reflect, flexible, flex, reflection, reflex, reflective, reflecting, reflected