Question

A newborn reflex in which toes fan out and foot twists in response to a stroke on the baby's sole is called:

• A. body righting.
• B. tonic neck.
• C. babinski.
• D. rooting.

Hint:

Match the stimulus and response:
- Stroking sole $\rightarrow$ Toes fan out = Babinski
- Stroking cheek $\rightarrow$ Head turns = Rooting
- Turning head $\rightarrow$ Fencing pose = Tonic neck

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Newborns possess a suite of primitive, involuntary motor patterns controlled by the brainstem and spinal cord, which typically disappear as the cerebral cortex matures.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Body righting reflex: A motor response that helps maintain head and body alignment during movement or rotation.
- Tonic neck reflex: Also called the "fencing posture." When a baby's head is turned to one side, the arm on that side stretches out and the opposite arm bends at the elbow.
- Babinski reflex: Occurs when the sole of the foot is firmly stroked from the heel toward the toes. In newborns, this causes the big toe to bend backward toward the top of the foot and the other toes to fan out. This is a normal developmental response up to about one to two years of age.
- Rooting reflex: Triggered when the corner of the baby's mouth is stroked or touched, causing the baby to turn their head in that direction to search for a nipple.

Step 3: Final Answer
The reflex where the toes fan out in response to stroking the sole of the foot is the Babinski reflex.