Motor Development across Life span

Reflexive Maturation & Postural Mechanisms

1 The reflex is a movement or action that is performed involuntarily or automatically.√

2 Reflexes are under voluntary control. X
3 Reflexes may be used as Evaluation of Reflexive Maturation. √
4 Reflexes are classified into 2 main categories: ……..
a) Infantile (Primitive) reflexes.
b) Postural reflexes.
5 Define "Infantile (Primitive) reflexes": are reflex movements which are generally
seen only in infancy, they are essential for baby's feeding & survival until he has
developed enough to control his body movements.

6 As the infant begins to grow & mature during the first 6 months of life, the CNS also
begins to mature, and the primitive reflexes are inhibited (or controlled) to allow the
more mature Postural reflexes to develop in their place. √

7 Most of the Primitive reflexes will disappear before 4 months old. √

8 Persistence of Infantile (Primitive) reflexes after the age at which normally
disappear can be a sign of Brain or CNS damage. √
9 If the primitive reflexes are not fully inhibited, what happens?
a) The primitive reflexive movements persist. √
b) The postural reactions cannot develop fully. √
10 Examples of Infantile reflexes which are normal in infants, abnormal in all others :
a) Suckling & Rooting reflexes. √
b) Blinking reflex. X
c) Sneeze reflex. X
d) Rooting reflex. √
e) Moro reflex. √
f) ATNR & STNR. √
g) Palmar Grasp & Plantar Grasp reflexes. √
h) Stepping (Walking) reflex. √

11 Give Examples of Infantile reflexes that persist into adulthood?

Answer: Blinking, Cough, Gag, Sneeze, and Yawn reflexes.
12 Regarding the Primitive reflexes:
1) The Stepping reflex disappears by 2 month of age. √
2) The Moro (& Startle) reflex is inhibited from the 3rd to 4th month. √
3) The Suckling & Rooting reflexes are inhibited from the 3rd to 4th month. √
4) The Palmar Grasp reflex disappears around the 4th month. √
5) The Plantar Grasp reflex disappears around the 9th to 10th month. √
6) Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) disappears at 4 - 6 months. √
7) Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) is inhibited by the 6th month to enable
crawling. √

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13 With the Asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR), turning the head to one side. What is
the response?
A) Flexion of arm & leg on the face side, and Extension of arm & leg on scalp side. X
B) Flexion of arm & leg on the face side, and Flexion of arm & leg on scalp side. X
C) Extension of arm & leg on the face side, and Flexion of arm & leg on scalp side. √
D) Extension of arm & leg on the face side, and Extension of arm & leg on scalp side.
X
14 With the Symmetric tonic neck reflex (STNR), head flexion or extension. What is the
response?
A) Flexion of the head causes Extension of the arms and Extension of the legs.
Extension of the head causes Flexion of the arms and Flexion of the legs. X
B) Flexion of the head causes Extension of the arms and Flexion of the legs.
Extension of the head causes Flexion of the arms and Extension of the legs. X
C) Flexion of the head causes Flexion of the arms and Extension of the legs.
Extension of the head causes Extension of the arms and Flexion of the legs. √
D) Flexion of the head causes Flexion of the arms and Flexion of the legs. Extension
of the head causes Extension of the arms and Extension of the legs. X

15 Persistence of Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) interferes with: ………..

a) Rolling.
b) Midline use of hands & Bilateral hand use.
c) Development of crawling.
d) Feeding.
e) Visual tracking.
f) Can lead to Skeletal deformities (e.g. Scoliosis, Hip subluxation & dislocation).

16 - Persistence of Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR) interferes with Rolling &
Crawling. √
- Persistence of Symmetrical tonic neck reflex (STNR) interferes with Crawling
reciprocally. √

17 Persistence of Moro Reflex interferes with: ………..

a) Balance reactions (in sitting).
b) Protective responses (in sitting).
c) Eye-Hand coordination.
d) Visual Tracking.

18 Persistence of Positive Support Reflex interferes with: ………..

a) Standing & Walking.
b) Balance reactions & Weight shift (in standing).
c) Can lead to Contractures of ankles (into plantar flexion).

19 Persistence of Stepping (Walking) Reflex interferes with: ………..

a) Standing & Walking.
b) Balance reactions & Weight shift (in standing).
c) Development of smooth, coordinated, reciprocal movements of lower extremities

20 Define "Postural reflexes": are automatic movements which maintain Posture &
Equilibrium either during rest (static) or movement (kinetic).

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21 - As the infant brain develops, Postural reflexes replace Primitive reflexes which are
inhibited. √
- Many Postural reflexes will remain throughout the entire lifetime as postural
reactions (Righting, Protective & Equilibrium reactions) (i.e. Postural mechanisms).
√
22 Enumerate Postural reflexes: ………….
Postural reflexes are of two types : (A) Static Reflexes (B) Statokinetic Reflexes
(A) Static Reflexes
(1) Local static reflexes i) Stretch reflex
ii) Positive supporting reflex
iii) Negative supporting reflex

(2) Segmental static reflexes i) crossed extensor reflex

ii) Philipson's reflex
iii) Shifting reflex
iv) Hopping reactions

(3) General static reflexes Righting reactions:

i) Neck righting reaction
ii) Body righting reaction
iii) Labyrinthine righting reaction
iv) Optical righting reaction

(B) Statokinetic Reflexes

1) Reflexes due to Linear acceleration
2) Reflexes due to Angular acceleration
3) Reflexes associated with Standing & Walking

23 Define "Postural Mechanisms": are neurological mechanisms, which help to

maintain posture, equilibrium and involved in locomotion.
24 Enumerate "Postural Mechanisms": include:
1) Antigravity mechanisms.
2) Postural fixation of the body parts (stability).
3) Counter poising mechanisms (balance during motion).
4) Righting reactions (rising reactions).
5) Protective reactions (reaction to falling or Parachute reactions).
6) Equilibrium reactions (balance reactions).