absent reflexes
Last reviewed 01/2018
An absent or decreased tendon reflex is indicative of a breach in any part of the reflex motor arc. It may involve:
- the muscle - myopathy
- the nerve endings - polyneuritis
- the motor nerve - neuropathy
- the anterior spinal cord root, e.g. spondylosis
- the anterior horn cell, e.g. motor neurone disease, poliomyelitis
- the sensory arc sensory root or sensory nerve disease
- systemic disease, e.g. abetalipoproteinaemia