ankle jerk

jerk

 [jerk]

a sudden reflex or involuntary movement.

Achilles jerk (ankle jerk) plantar extension of the foot elicited by a tap on the achilles tendon, while the patient is seated on a bed or chair, with feet hanging freely; called also Achilles reflex and triceps surae jerk or reflex.

biceps jerk biceps reflex.

elbow jerk involuntary flexion of the elbow on striking the tendon of the biceps or triceps muscle.

jaw jerk jaw-jerk reflex.

knee jerk see knee jerk.

tendon jerk tendon reflex.

triceps surae jerk ankle jerk.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

A·chil·les re·flex

, Achilles tendon reflex (ă-kil'ēz),

a contraction of the calf muscles when the tendo calcaneus is sharply struck.

Synonym(s): ankle jerk, ankle reflex, tendo Achillis reflex, triceps surae reflex

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

ankle reflex

An abrupt plantar jerk of the ankle, evoked by tapping the Achilles tendon with an unrestricted forefoot.

Method
Slightly externally rotate at the hip and gently dorsiflex the foot, tapping the Achilles tendon with a reflex hammer; there should be a reflex contraction of the gastrocnemius muscle (plantar flexion).

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

ankle jerk

Ankle reflex, see there, aka Achilles tendon reflex.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Achilles,

mythical Greek warrior who was vulnerable only in the heel.

Achilles bursa - bursa between the tendo calcaneus and the upper part of the posterior surface of the calcaneum. Synonym(s): bursa of tendo calcaneus

Achilles reflex - a contraction of the calf muscles when the tendo calcaneus is sharply struck. Synonym(s): ankle jerk; ankle reflex; tendo Achillis reflex; triceps surae reflex

Achilles tendon - the tendon of insertion of the triceps surae (gastrocnemius and soleus) into the tuberosity of the calcaneus. Synonym(s): tendo calcaneus

Medical Eponyms © Farlex 2012