Following an illness due to campylobacter infection, a young University student
ID: 3514985 • Letter: F
Question
Following an illness due to campylobacter infection, a young University student presents to his GP with weakness in his limbs and absent reflexes including the knee-jerk reflex. Sensory testing in his feet to light touch, pressure, vibration, and temperature were conducted. In addition, a sample of cerebrospinal fluid was taken. The patient was provisionally diagnosed with a disease of the peripheral nervous system affecting production of myelin.
Why was the knee-jerk reflex absent in the patient?
Explanation / Answer
Gowers used this term ist time .Knee jerk reflex is the abrupt movement of lower leg in response to soft hitting on the patellar tendon which is sutuated below knee cap.
The intactness of the spinal cord is an important aspect human knee jerk reflex .
As we know nerve arise from spinal cord and get divided into 2 types sensory and motor nerve.
Reflexes are involuntary muscular responses. When a knee is tapped by a hammer knee jerk reflex arise.
The patient diagnosed with disease of peripheral nervous system lacks knee jerk reflex because spinal cord ,peripheral nerves or muscle may b damaged. Abnormal reflexes are due to disruption of nerves. So if nerves are damaged the reflexes which travel through these nerves are absent then.