Moro reflex
Moro Reflex
The Moro reflex (pronounced: /ˈmɔːroʊ/), also known as the startle reflex, is an involuntary motor response that is exhibited by newborn infants. The reflex is named after its discoverer, Austrian pediatrician Ernst Moro.
Etymology
The term "Moro reflex" is derived from the name of its discoverer, Ernst Moro, who first described the reflex in 1918. The term "reflex" comes from the Latin reflexus, meaning "bent back", and refers to an automatic, unlearned response to a stimulus.
Description
The Moro reflex is triggered when an infant is startled by a loud sound or movement, particularly if the infant's head changes position. The infant responds by throwing back its head, extending out its arms and legs, crying, and then pulling the arms and legs back in. This reflex is usually present at birth and disappears around the age of 3 to 6 months.
Related Terms
- Startle response: A similar reflex in adults and older children, characterized by a sequence of movements in response to an unexpected stimulus.
- Primitive reflexes: Reflexes that are exhibited by normal infants, but not usually by older children or adults.
- Infant development: The process of growth and maturation of a child from birth to one year of age.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Moro reflex
- Wikipedia's article - Moro reflex
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski