The extensor digitorum reflex is tested as part of the

neurological examination A neurological examination is the assessment of sensory neuron and motor responses, especially reflexes, to determine whether the nervous system is impaired. This typically includes a physical examination and a review of the patient's medical hist ...

to assess the sensory and motor pathways within the C6 and C7

spinal nerves A spinal nerve is a mixed nerve, which carries motor, sensory, and autonomic signals between the spinal cord and the body. In the human body there are 31 pairs of spinal nerves, one on each side of the vertebral column. These are grouped into the ...

. It is also known as Braunecker-Effenberg reflex, or BER.

Testing

The test is performed by tapping the

extensor digitorum muscle The extensor digitorum muscle (also known as extensor digitorum communis) is a muscle of the posterior forearm present in humans and other animals. It extends the medial four digits of the hand. Extensor digitorum is innervated by the posterior in ...

while the fingers are light or half flexed. A sudden contraction of the musculus extensor digitorum and extension of the fingers indicate a normal reflex.

Absence of reflex

An absence of reflex can be an indicator for radiculopathy within the C6 and C7 or neuropathy within the

deep branch of the radial nerve The radial nerve divides into a superficial (sensory) and deep (motor) branch at the cubital fossa. The deep branch of the radial nerve winds to the back of the forearm around the lateral side of the radius between the two planes of fibers of the ...

References

External links

* Extensor-Digitorum-Reflex
Applying the Extensor Digitorum Reflex to Neurological Examination
{{DEFAULTSORT:Extensor Digitorum Reflex Reflexes