H-reflex

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H-reflex

The H-reflex or Hoffmann's reflex (pronounced: /ˈhɒfmənz ˈriːfleks/) is a reflex reaction of muscles after electrical stimulation of sensory fibers (Ia afferents stemming) in their supplying nerves. The H-reflex test is a neurophysiological test used to assess the nervous system, particularly in relation to its motor pathways.

Etymology

The H-reflex is named after the German neurologist Paul Hoffmann who first described the reflex in 1910.

Procedure

The H-reflex is elicited by a mild electrical stimulus to the sensory fibers in the peripheral nerve, with the resulting electrical activity recorded from a muscle supplied by this nerve. The size of the response is then measured. The H-reflex is similar to the monosynaptic reflex, or tendon reflex, but it bypasses the muscle spindle and is therefore used to assess the integrity of the monosynaptic circuit in the spinal cord.

Clinical Significance

The H-reflex is used in clinical settings to test for nerve damage, spinal cord injury, and other neurological disorders. It can also be used to monitor the progress of these conditions over time. The H-reflex has been used in research to understand motor control and human movement.

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