Hoffmann's sign
[hof´manz] 1. increased mechanical irritability of the sensory nerves in
tetany; the ulnar nerve is usually tested.
2. a sudden nipping of the nail of the index, middle, or ring finger produces flexion of the terminal phalanx of the thumb and of the second and third phalanx of some other finger; called also
digital reflex.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.