Biceps Brachii Reflex

The biceps brachii reflex (r. musculi bicipitis brachii) is one of the most frequently studied tendon reflexes. It is caused by tapping the biceps brachii tendon in the elbow crease with a neurological hammer.

With a normal reflex arc, the biceps muscle contracts, causing the forearm to flex at the elbow joint. This reflex checks the integrity of the nerve pathways at the level of the spinal cord (segments C5-C6).

Decreased or absent biceps reflex may indicate damage to the spinal cord roots, peripheral nerves, or neuromuscular transmission. Strengthening the reflex occurs with spastic paralysis and pyramidal insufficiency.

Thus, the study of the reflex from the biceps brachii muscle allows us to assess the state of the reflex arc at the level of the cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord. This is a simple and informative method of neurological examination.

Biceps brachii reflex

The biceps brachii reflex (r. musculi bicipitis brachii) is one of the most frequently studied tendon reflexes. It allows you to evaluate the function of the C5-C6 spinal nerves.

To examine it, the doctor hits the tendon of the biceps brachii muscle in the elbow bend with a hammer. Normally, this causes extension of the forearm due to a reflex contraction of the biceps muscle.

Weakening or absence of this reflex may indicate damage to the corresponding spinal segments, peripheral nerves, or the muscle itself.

An increase in the reflex is observed when the excitability of the reflex arc increases, for example, with spastic paralysis.

Thus, the study of the reflex from the biceps brachii muscle allows one to obtain important information about the state of the motor pathways and muscles of the upper limb.