Corneomandibular reflex

The corneomandibular reflex (r. corneomandibularis) is a reflex that occurs in response to irritation of the cornea of ​​the eye. It is associated with the lower jaw and manifests itself in the form of contraction of the masticatory muscles.

This reflex was discovered by the German physiologist Karl Ludwig Selder in 1863. He conducted experiments on animals, irritating the cornea of ​​the eye and observing the reaction of the lower jaw.

The corneomandibular reflex is an important diagnostic sign for various diseases of the nervous system, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and others. It can also be used to evaluate the condition of the masticatory muscles and jaw joints.

To carry out a reflex test, it is necessary to irritate the cornea, for example, drop a few drops of a solution on it. In this case, the lower jaw should contract and rise upward. If the reflex is absent or weakly expressed, this may indicate a pathology of the nervous system.

In addition, the corneomandibular reflex is used in cosmetology to assess the tone of facial muscles and determine the degree of their atrophy. It can also be used in dentistry to determine the condition of the jaw joints and chewing muscles.

The Coreomandbular reflex (or otherwise the Zelder reflex) is a reflexive closing of the teeth when light pressure is applied to the skin. It is observed in children and adults. It is considered one of the simplest physiological reflexes. It is quite rare in adults because the cutaneous nerve, which controls nerve impulses starting in the skin and then transmitted to the brain, is injured during tooth extraction. This causes the reflex to become difficult to detect.

It is an innate and basic reflex. If the facial muscles are affected, the jaw will begin to move before the brain receives the signal. This results in a short-term illusion of relaxation of the lower jaw. Upon awakening, the symptom disappears. The reflex shows the presence of connections between nerve fibers. For example, the fact that when one area is irritated, a response occurs in another. The reflex is also triggered when muscles tense or relax.