Ortner Reflex

The Ortner reflex is a clinical sign that is used to diagnose diseases of the upper respiratory tract and lungs. It was discovered by the Austrian physician Otto Ortner in 1882.

The essence of the Ortner reflex is that when the sternum is tapped from the front or back, the patient may experience pain in the area of ​​the supraclavicular fossa. This occurs because tapping stretches the muscles that are innervated by the nerves passing through the supraclavicular fossa. If the supraclavicular fossa does not respond to tapping, this may be a sign of diseases of the lungs or upper respiratory tract.

The Ortner reflex is used to diagnose pneumonia, tuberculosis, lung abscesses, pleurisy, lung cancer and other diseases. It can also be used to assess the condition of the lungs after illness.

To perform the Ortner reflex, the doctor taps the patient's sternum from the front and back, and then checks for pain in the supraclavicular fossa. If the patient experiences pain, this indicates the presence of an Ortner reflex.

Despite its simplicity, the Ortner reflex is a fairly accurate method for diagnosing diseases of the lungs and upper respiratory tract, since it is sensitive to changes in the condition of the lungs. However, like any other diagnostic method, it cannot completely replace other research methods, such as x-rays or computed tomography.

Ortner reflex (lat. ortneris reflexus) is a somatic reaction to skin irritation in the area of ​​​​the projection of the external auditory canal, manifested by a reflexive contraction of the muscles that lift the hair on the back of the neck.

The reflex was first described in 1865 by the Austrian physician Otto Ortner. He noticed that when pressing in the area of ​​the external auditory canal, the patient experiences a contraction of the muscles of the back of the neck, which is accompanied by a feeling of warmth and tingling in this area.

The Ortner reflex is important for diagnosing diseases of the ear, nose and throat. In the presence of diseases such as otitis media, granuloma, otomycosis and others, irritation of the external auditory canal and the appearance of the Ortner reflex may occur. This can be used to make a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.

In addition, the Ortner reflex can be used as a test for the presence of disorders in the nervous system. For example, if the spinal cord or peripheral nerves are damaged, a disruption in the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles of the back of the neck may occur and, accordingly, the absence of the Ortner reflex.

Thus, the Ortner reflex is an important diagnostic test that can help in identifying various diseases and disorders in the human nervous system.