How Do You Spell HIP FLEXION PHENOMENON?

1. Hip flexion phenomenon refers to a physiological response observed in the human body during certain reflex tests or assessments. Specifically, it refers to the automatic contraction of the hip flexor muscles in response to a sharp tap or strike on the patellar tendon (just below the kneecap). This reflex action leads to the involuntary flexion, or bending, of the hip joint.

   The hip flexion phenomenon is a component of the monosynaptic patellar reflex, also known as the knee-jerk reflex. When the patellar tendon is tapped, it stimulates the muscle spindles located in the quadriceps muscle, which in turn send sensory signals to the spinal cord. These signals then trigger a response in the motor neurons, causing the hip flexor muscles, such as the iliopsoas, to contract and lift the leg forward.

   Clinically, measuring the hip flexion phenomenon can provide insights into the integrity of the neural circuitry involved in the reflex response. An exaggerated or heightened response may indicate nervous system disorders, such as spinal cord injuries or certain neurological conditions. Conversely, a diminished or absent hip flexion phenomenon can indicate abnormalities within the reflex pathway.

   Understanding the hip flexion phenomenon is important in neurological examinations, as it allows healthcare professionals to assess normal reflex functions and detect abnormalities in the nervous system.

2. • See under phenomenon.

   • When a hemiplegic attempts to raise himself from a lying posture he first flexes the hip on the paralyzed side, and the same movement takes place when he lies down again.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for HIP FLEXION PHENOMENON