Gifford-Galassi Reflex

Gifford-Galassi reflex

The Gifford-Galassi reflex is a reflexive movement of the eyeball that occurs when pressure is applied to the upper eyelid. The reflex was first described in 1898 by the American ophthalmologist Gifford and the Italian neurologist Galassi.

The mechanism of the reflex is as follows: when pressing on the upper eyelid, the branches of the trigeminal nerve, which innervate the muscles of the eyeball, are irritated. This leads to a reflex contraction of the superior rectus muscle and simultaneous relaxation of the inferior rectus muscle. As a result, the eyeball moves upward and laterally (outward).

The Gifford-Galassi reflex is most often used by neurologists and ophthalmologists for

The Gifford-Galassi reflex is a defense mechanism of the body that is triggered by sudden danger. It involves immediate contraction of the muscles of the eyeball, which helps protect vision and the brain from external irritants.

The Giffreda-Galasi reflex was discovered in the mid-20th century by a group of American and Italian scientists. This reflex is named after two ophthalmologists, Gifford and Galasi, who independently discovered it.

The discovery of this reflex was a significant achievement in the field of medicine and neurology. It allowed us to better understand the functioning of the nervous system and its reactions to external stimuli. The Giffard-Galazzi reflex plays an important role in our daily lives, as it helps us protect ourselves from injuries, bruises and other injuries that may occur as a result of unexpected events.