HYPOREFLEXIA Meaning and
Definition
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Hyporeflexia is a medical term used to describe a condition characterized by a reduced or diminished reflex response. Reflexes are involuntary, immediate, and unconscious responses of the body to certain stimuli and are controlled by the central nervous system.
In cases of hyporeflexia, the nerve signals that transmit information from the sensory receptor to the spinal cord and back are impaired, resulting in decreased or absent reflexes. This can be due to damage or dysfunction of the nerves involved in the reflex arcs.
Hyporeflexia may manifest as a reduced response or complete absence of reflexes in various parts of the body. Common reflexes that are tested during a physical examination include the knee jerk (patellar reflex), ankle jerk (Achilles reflex), and the biceps or triceps reflex. During these tests, if the reflex response is noticeably diminished or absent, it may indicate a problem with the nerve pathways.
Hyporeflexia can be associated with multiple underlying conditions, such as peripheral nerve damage, spinal cord injuries, certain neurological disorders, or as a side effect of certain medications. It can also be a symptom of a more serious underlying health issue, which might require further investigation and treatment.
Overall, hyporeflexia refers to a decrease in reflex response and can serve as an important diagnostic clue for medical professionals in assessing nerve function and identifying potential neurological abnormalities.
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A condition in which the reflexes are weakened.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HYPOREFLEXIA
- gyporeflexia
- byporeflexia
- nyporeflexia
- jyporeflexia
- uyporeflexia
- yyporeflexia
- htporeflexia
- hgporeflexia
- hhporeflexia
- huporeflexia
- h7poreflexia
- h6poreflexia
- hyooreflexia
- hyloreflexia
- hy-oreflexia
- hy0oreflexia
- hypireflexia
- hypkreflexia
- hyplreflexia
- hyppreflexia
Etymology of HYPOREFLEXIA
The word "hyporeflexia" is derived from two Greek roots: "hypo-" and "reflexia".
1. "Hypo-" is a prefix meaning "under" or "below" in Greek. It signifies a decrease or deficiency in the quality or quantity of something.
2. "Reflexia" is derived from the Greek word "reflexos", meaning "bent back" or "reflected". It refers to the involuntary response of an organism to a stimulus, often involving a rapid and automatic movement.
Combining these roots, "hyporeflexia" literally means "below normal reflexes" or "decreased reflexive response". In medical terms, it is used to describe a condition where the reflexes are diminished or reduced in intensity.
