What does knee-jerk decision mean?
If you call someone’s response to a question or situation a knee-jerk reaction, you mean that they react in a very predictable way, without thinking.
What is the knee-jerk an example of?
monosynaptic reflex
Doctors will test reflexes by tapping the tendon just below the knee, and this causes the leg to kick out. This knee-jerk reflex is an example of a simple monosynaptic reflex.
What causes knee jerks?
The normal knee-jerk or, “patellar jerk,” reflex is elicited when the knee is tapped below the knee cap (patella). Sensors that detect stretching of the tendon of this area send electrical impulses back to the spinal cord.
What is a knee-jerk used for?
The knee-jerk reflex, also known as the patellar reflex, is a simple reflex that causes the contraction of the quadriceps muscle when the patellar tendon is stretched. I describe the course of the reflex arc from muscle spindles in the quadriceps muscle to motor neurons that cause movement of the leg.
What do you call a knee-jerk reaction?
knee-jerk reflex, also called patellar reflex, sudden kicking movement of the lower leg in response to a sharp tap on the patellar tendon, which lies just below the kneecap.
What is a synonym for knee-jerk?
Find another word for knee-jerk. In this page you can discover 14 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for knee-jerk, like: involuntary impulse, knee-jerk reflex, predictable, automatic, expected, reflex, spontaneous, automatic response, knee-jerk reaction, patellar-reflex and nanny-state.
Why do doctors test knee jerk?
Medical author Dr Janice Rachel Mae explains that doctors routinely use reflex tests to check if there are any problems in the nervous system involved in movement, nerve functioning or health of the connective tissue in the knee or leg.
What is another name for the knee-jerk reflex?
What does the knee-jerk reflex protect?
This is a reflex of proprioception which helps maintain posture and balance, allowing to keep one’s balance with little effort or conscious thought. The patellar reflex is a clinical and classic example of the monosynaptic reflex arc.
How do you stop knee spasms?
Here are some things to try:
- Stretching. Stretching the area that has the muscle spasm can usually help improve or stop the spasm from occurring.
- Massage.
- Ice or heat.
- Hydration.
- Mild exercise.
- Nonprescription remedies.
- Topical creams that are anti-inflammatory and pain relieving.
- Hyperventilation.
Why do doctors test knee-jerk?
How do you treat a knee-jerk?
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Pain relievers. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium may provide short-term pain relief.
- Avoid activity that causes pain. You may need to practice your sport less often or temporarily switch to a lower impact sport.
- Ice. Apply ice after activity that causes pain.