Sunteți pe pagina 1din 4

BRAINSTEM REFLEXES

OBJECTIVES
To elicit responses to the different brainstem reflex tests
To determine the functions of the different brainstem reflexes
To identify the different anatomic components involved in each brainstem reflex


METHODOLOGY
In order to check the persons pupillary reflex, their retina was exposed to light
and the diameter of the pupil was observed. Similar to this, the diameter of the pupil of
the unexposed eye was also observed, for the consensual pupillary reflex. Following
this, the ciliospinal reflex was checked by pinching the skin of the nape and the
recording the diameter of the pupils. The corneal reflex was checked by looking at the
response of the pupils to tactile stimulus via cotton. The area of the neck where the
pharynx is located was prodded to check for gag reflex. Within the laboratory period, the
last two reflexes were tested when the other reflex experiment was being done (stretch
reflexes), because both reflexes require the person to be startled. For the orbicularis
oculi reflex, the retina was exposed to light and the overall reaction of the eyes was
noted down, while for the auditocephalogyric reflex the person was surprised with a loud
sound.


RESULTS
Table . Brainstem Reflex Results
Reflex being tested Resulting Reaction Anatomic Component/s
Pupillary Reflex Pupil constriction CN II, CN III
Consensual Pupillary
Reflex
Pupil constriction CN II, CN III
Ciliospinal Reflex Pupil dilation CN II, CN III
Corneal Reflex Blinked CN II, CN III
Orbicularis Oculi Reflex Blinked CN II, CN III
Auditocephalogyric Reflex Looked towards the
direction of sound; eye and
head movement
CN IV, CN VIII, CN XI
Gag Reflex Gagged CN IX, CN X

DISCUSSION
Normal responses were observed for every brainstem reflex tested. In the test for
the pupillary reflex, the examinees pupils decreased in diameter. This is expected
because the pupil is responsible for allowing light to enter into the retina of the eye.
When one eye was exposed to light, the pupil constricted in order to protect the
photoreceptors in the eye. Accompanying the pupillary reflex is the consensual pupillary
reflex. It was observed that exposing one eye to light, elicited the same response in the
pupil of the unexposed eye, so that both pupils constrict. The reaction is consensual
because the optic tract conducts visual information from both eyes and the pretectal
area projects bilaterally to both Edinger-Westphal nuclei (Dragoi n.d.).
Dilation of the pupil was observed during the ciliospinal reflex test. Pinching the
neck triggers pupodilation as a response to pain. The dilation of the pupil is attributed to
defense against noxious stimuli. If pupils do not dilate, this indicates peripheral
sympathetic denervation or even impairment of the spinal cord in the upper thoracic
region. Another defense mechanism observed was the response to the corneal reflex
test. Both eyelids blinked in response to tactile stimulus on the cornea. Absence of this
reaction suggests impairment of the second cranial nerve, which is responsible for
sensing whatever comes in contact with the cornea, and the third cranial nerve, which is
responsible for closing the eyelids (Reeves and Swenson 2008; Hohol 2001; Gray
1997).
The expected response for the orbicularis oculi reflex is the closing of the
orbicularis oculi muscles, or blinking. (Pryse-Philips 2003). Similar to the corneal reflex
test, blinking occurred in defense to noxious stimuli. In this case, the stimulus was the
unexpected exposure to light and blinking occurred to prevent excess light from entering
the retina of the eye.
The head and eyes faced the direction of the loud sound in response to the
auditocephalogyric reflex test (Guzman 2011). It is possible that responding toward the
direction of the sound is a sign of alertness and moreover, another defense mechanism.
In psychology, this state of alertness is termed as arousal. By definition, arousal refers
to a type of bodily energy which primes or prepares us for emergency action (Moran
2004).
The gag reflex test was slightly modified wherein, instead of lightly stroking the
pharyngeal area of the throat, it was abruptly and uncomfortably jabbed or prodded with
a finger. When this modification was applied, the examinee gagged for around 3
minutes. This shows that the person had quite a sensitive gag reflex. The range of
responses to the gag reflex may range from nonresponsive to regurgitation (Reeves
and Swenson 2008). Such a reaction to an food-like object, discourages them from
eating it.
For the pupillary, consensual pupillary, ciliospinal, corneal, and orbicularis oculi
reflexes all make use of cranial nerves II and III. The second cranial nerve, or the optic
nerve, is the sensory nerve for the eye region, while the third cranial nerve, or the
oculomotor nerve, is the motor nerve. Three cranial nerves (IV, VIII, XI) are involved in
the auditocephalogyric reflex. The fourth cranial nerve, the trochlear nerve, is
responsible for eye movement which was why the eyes moved toward the direction of
the loud sound. The eighth cranial nerve, the vestibulocochlear nerve, is responsible for
hearing the loud stimulus of the auditocephalogyric reflex test. The eleventh cranial
nerve, or the spinal accessory nerve, is the motor nerve responsible for head movement
seen when the head moved toward the direction of the loud sound. Lastly, the gag
reflex uses two cranial nerves (IX, X). The ninth cranial nerve is the glossopharyngeal
nerve, which is responsible for sensing stimulus to the pharyngeal area. The tenth
cranial nerve, the vagus nerve, is responsible for the sensory and motor functions of the
viscera and, most probably triggers regurgitation in individuals with very sensitive gag
reflexes (Gray 1997; Chudler n.d.).


ERROR ANALYSIS
Since physiologic responses were observed on the examinee, then no errors
were committed in this experiment. If there were errors committed, additional trials were
performed so that the expected and normal responses would be elicited. It should be
noted that the type of exam performed would evoke various responses in individual.
Results, though true for the majority are still subjective and would not hold true for those
who have undergone surgery in the brain and related areas, that do not have any major
nervous system disorders.


CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The examinee for this experiment demonstrated physiologic responses to the
different brainstem reflex tests. It was learned that reflexes are the bodys responses, or
means of adaptation, towards situations that require alertness. The ciliospinal reflex
becomes alert to sensations of pain in the neck region. Both the pupillary and
consensual pupillary reflexes are responsible for controlling light entry into the cornea.
Both the corneal and orbicularis oculi reflexes protect the eyes from potentially harmful
tactile stimuli. Similar to the ciliospinal reflex, the auditocephalogyric reflex becomes
attentive and aroused towards situations of mystery and danger. The gag reflex
discourages a person from eating incompatible substances, whether allergenic or
toxigenic.
If there are computer programs and equipment for testing brainstem reflexes,
and if they are affordable to the institution to which the educator of the student belongs,
it is recommended that those be performed after the experiment to increase accuracy of
results and conduct a comparative study between the two different methods used.





LITERATURE CITED
Moran AP. Sport and Exercise Psychology: A Critical Introduction. East Sussex (UK):
Routledge; 2004. 347 p.
Pryse-Philips W. Companion to Clinical Neurology. Oxford (UK): Oxford University
Press; 2003. 1112 p.

Chudler EH. Neuroscience for Kids [Internet]. Washington (MD): University of
Washington; n.d. [cited 2012 Apr. 20]. Available from:
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/cranial.html

Dragoi V. Chapter 7: Ocular Motor System [Internet]. Houston (TX): University of Texas;
n.d. [cited 2012 Apr. 20]. Available from:
http://neuroscience.uth.tmc.edu/s3/chapter07.html.

Gray T. The Cranial Nerves [Internet]. Maywood (IL): Loyola University Stritch School of
Medicine; 1997. [cited 2012 Apr. 20]. Available from:
http://www.meddean.luc.edu/lumen/MedEd/GrossAnatomy/h_n/cn/cn1/mainframe.htm;

Guzman A. Reflex Exam [Internet]. Manila (PH): Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila;
2011. [cited 2012 Apr 20]. Available from: http://www.scribd.com/doc/48278050/Reflex-
Exam

Hohol MJ. V Trigeminal Nerve - Corneal Reflex [Internet]. Toronto (ON): University of
Toronto; 2001. [cited 2012 Apr. 20]. Available from:
http://www.utoronto.ca/neuronotes/NeuroExam/cranial_5b.htm

Reeves, Swenson R. Chapter 4: Eye Movements [Internet]. Hanover (NH): Dartmouth
Medical School; 2008. [cited 2012 Apr. 20]. Available from:
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~dons/part_1/chapter_4.html#chpt_4_pupils.

Reeves, Swenson R. Chapter 7 - Lower cranial nerve function [Internet]. Hanover (NH):
Dartmouth Medical School; 2008. [cited 2012 Apr. 20]. Available from:
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~dons/part_1/chapter_7.html#chpt_7_gag.

S-ar putea să vă placă și