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Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Clinical Skills Centre > Clinical Skills Resources

Peripheral Nervous System Examination

Examination of the Reflexes of the Upper and Lower Limbs

Assessing reflexes can be difficult and requires alot of practice.

Try to stay on the patient's right side throughout the examination.

Hold the tendon hammer loosely in your hand and let it do the work!

Upper Limb Reflexes

Biceps
Triceps
Alt Triceps
Supinator

Root values

table showing the root values
ReflexesSpinal Root
BicepsC5/^
TricepsC6/7
SupinatorC5/6

Lower Limb Reflexes

Knee
Ankle
Plantar

Root values

table showing the root values (Lower Limbs)
ReflexesSpinal Root
KneeL5/4
AnkleL5/S1