Oppenheim's sign
Oppenheim's sign
Oppenheim's sign (/ˈɒpənhaɪmz saɪn/) is a medical sign often used in neurological examination to detect diseases of the pyramidal tract, such as upper motor neuron lesions. It is named after the German neurologist Hermann Oppenheim, who first described it in 1884.
Etymology
The term "Oppenheim's sign" is derived from the name of its discoverer, Hermann Oppenheim, a prominent German neurologist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The word "sign" in this context is used to denote a clinical indication or symptom of a particular medical condition.
Procedure
To elicit Oppenheim's sign, the examiner runs a finger or thumb firmly down the medial side of the patient's tibia. A positive Oppenheim's sign is indicated by involuntary flexion of the hip and knee.
Clinical significance
A positive Oppenheim's sign is indicative of a pyramidal tract lesion, particularly an upper motor neuron lesion. It is one of several signs that can be used to identify such lesions, along with Babinski's sign, Hoffmann's sign, and Gordon's sign. However, it is less commonly used than these other signs due to its lower sensitivity and specificity.
Related terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Oppenheim's sign
- Wikipedia's article - Oppenheim's sign
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