Reflexive fanning out and curling of an infant's toes when the sole is stroked is called what?

Reflexive fanning out and curling of an infant's toes when the sole is stroked is called what?

• A. Moro Reflex
• B. Rooting Reflex
• C. Sucking Reflex
• D. Babinski Reflex

Answer: (D)

The Babinski reflex is being tested here. When the sole is stroked, a newborn typically shows an upward bending (dorsiflexion) of the big toe with the other toes fanning outward. This occurs because the corticospinal pathways aren’t fully mature yet. It’s a normal finding in infancy and tends to disappear as the nervous system matures, usually by about the first year of life. In older individuals, a similar Toe fanning response can indicate an upper motor neuron issue, which is why this reflex is often used as a neurological sign. The other reflexes mentioned are feeding or startle responses: rooting guides the infant to turn toward a touch on the cheek to find a nipple, and sucking is the automatic sucking action when something is in the mouth, while the Moro reflex involves a sudden arm extension and then hugging motion in response to a drop or loud noise.

The Babinski reflex is being tested here. When the sole is stroked, a newborn typically shows an upward bending (dorsiflexion) of the big toe with the other toes fanning outward. This occurs because the corticospinal pathways aren’t fully mature yet. It’s a normal finding in infancy and tends to disappear as the nervous system matures, usually by about the first year of life. In older individuals, a similar Toe fanning response can indicate an upper motor neuron issue, which is why this reflex is often used as a neurological sign. The other reflexes mentioned are feeding or startle responses: rooting guides the infant to turn toward a touch on the cheek to find a nipple, and sucking is the automatic sucking action when something is in the mouth, while the Moro reflex involves a sudden arm extension and then hugging motion in response to a drop or loud noise.