Reflex Tonic Palmar

The tonic palmar reflex (R. tonicus palmaris) is a reflex response of the body to irritation of the skin of the palm. This reflex manifests itself in the form of contraction of the muscles of the hand and fingers, causing a strong clenching of the fist.

The tonic palmar reflex was discovered in 1878 by German physiologist Alfred Frank. He found that when pressing on the skin of the palm of a healthy person, a contraction of the muscles of the hand and fingers always occurs. This reflex is of great importance in clinical practice and is used to diagnose certain diseases.

The normal manifestation of the tonic palmar reflex indicates that the nerve pathways responsible for transmitting the signal from the skin of the palm to the brain and back are functioning normally. However, the absence or change in the reflex may indicate damage to the central nervous system.

The tonic palmar reflex can also be strengthened or weakened depending on certain factors, such as age, gender, the presence of diseases, etc. For example, in children this reflex is often more pronounced than in adults, and in older people it may be weakened.

In general, the tonic palmar reflex is an important indicator of the state of the human nervous system. Its use in clinical practice makes it possible to diagnose a number of diseases and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.