Abdominal reflex


An abdominal reflex is a superficial neurological reflex stimulated by stroking of the abdomen around the umbilicus. It can be helpful in determining the level of a CNS lesion. Being a superficial reflex, it is polysynaptic.

Roots involved

Thoracic 7th - 12th segments are involved

Absent abdominal reflex

Abdominal reflex is noted as either present or absent. An absent response can be physiological. Physiological absent response can be due to obesity, tolerance, children, multiparous lax abdominal wall.
Pathological absence can be due to
The local contraction of the abdominal muscles to an abdominal sensory stimulus was to protect the internal viscera from damage.