NERVOUS SYSTEM – DEMONSTRATE MONOSYNAPTIC REFLEXES INTRODUCTION LABORATORY SIMULATION Question Which part of the reflex hammer will you use to test the biceps reflex? The metallic tip The pointed rubber side The broad rubber side PHASE 1 Biceps reflex – inside elbow Complete the following steps 1 Select reflex hammer 2 Use the crosshairs to guide your thumb over the biceps tendon and strike it with the hammer 3 Record your observations in Lab Data METHODS RESET MY NOTES LAB DATA SHOW LABELS
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct part of the reflex hammer to use for testing the biceps reflex is the broad rubber side.
Explanation:
Reflex tests are essential for assessing the integrity of the nervous system. The biceps reflex, specifically, is a monosynaptic reflex, meaning it involves a direct pathway between the sensory neuron and the motor neuron. This reflex is tested by striking the biceps tendon with a reflex hammer to initiate a muscle contraction.
The broad rubber side of the reflex hammer is the ideal choice for eliciting the biceps reflex. The broad side allows for a more controlled and diffuse impact, which is appropriate for this area of the body. When testing the biceps reflex, you strike the tendon located in the crook of the elbow, which triggers the contraction of the biceps muscle. This contraction is a normal, quick response that should be observed and recorded.
Using the metallic tip or pointed rubber side is not recommended for this test because these parts of the hammer are designed for more localized and sharper impacts, which could be uncomfortable or inefficient for testing a reflex like the biceps reflex. The sharp impact may not provide the desired smooth stimulus needed to accurately trigger the reflex.
When conducting this test, the following steps should be followed:
- Select the reflex hammer, ensuring it is suitable for the type of reflex being tested (i.e., the broad rubber side).
- Using the crosshairs as a guide, locate the biceps tendon in the crook of the elbow.
- Strike the tendon gently with the broad rubber side of the hammer, aiming for a consistent, controlled impact.
- Observe and record the resulting muscle contraction.
This procedure helps assess the efficiency of the nerve pathways involved in the monosynaptic reflex, providing valuable information about the function of the nervous system.
