ANKLE JERK Meaning and
Definition
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Ankle jerk, also known as the Achilles reflex or ankle reflex, refers to an involuntary muscular response that occurs when the Achilles tendon situated at the back of the ankle is stretched. It is one of the deep tendon reflexes commonly tested during a physical examination to evaluate the integrity of neurological pathways and the functionality of the nerves supplying the lower limb muscles.
The ankle jerk is elicited by striking the tendon below the calf muscle, causing a sudden stretch to occur in the calf muscle complex, thus stimulating the sensory receptors (proprioceptors) embedded within the muscle fibers. This sensory information is then transmitted via the sensory nerve fibers to the spinal cord, where the message is relayed to the motor nerve fibers that innervate the calf muscles. As a result, a reflex arc is initiated, leading to a quick and brief contraction of the calf muscles, eventually causing the ankle joint to jerk into dorsiflexion.
The ankle jerk is a monosynaptic reflex, meaning that it does not involve the brain but rather occurs at the spinal cord level. It is an essential reflex that helps maintain balance and coordination, especially during ambulation or activities that require lower limb movements. Alterations in the ankle jerk reflex can be indicative of certain neurological conditions, such as peripheral neuropathy, spinal cord lesions, or nerve root compression. Therefore, assessing ankle jerk reflexes is a valuable tool for healthcare professionals to diagnose, monitor, and manage various neurological disorders.
Common Misspellings for ANKLE JERK
- aankle-jerk
- a nkle-jerk
- znkle jerk
- snkle jerk
- wnkle jerk
- qnkle jerk
- abkle jerk
- amkle jerk
- ajkle jerk
- ahkle jerk
- anjle jerk
- anmle jerk
- anlle jerk
- anole jerk
- anile jerk
- ankke jerk
- ankpe jerk
- ankoe jerk
- anklw jerk
- ankls jerk
Etymology of ANKLE JERK
The term "ankle jerk" stems from medicine and neurology. It is the combination of the words "ankle" and "jerk", essentially referring to the reflex action observed when the Achilles tendon is tapped, leading to a brief contraction of the calf muscles and a resulting brief extension of the foot.
Etymologically, "ankle" originated from the Old English word "ancleow", which further stems from the Proto-Germanic word "ankulō" or "ankilaz". These words ultimately trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*ang-", meaning "to bend".
Meanwhile, "jerk" is derived from the Middle English word "jerkken", which means "to pull, yank, or thrust suddenly". This Middle English term has roots in the Old English "hyrcan", which also means "to move suddenly and sharply".
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