Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) (pronunciation: a-sym-met-ri-cal to-nic neck re-flex) is a primitive reflex found in newborn humans that normally vanishes around six months of age. It is also known as the "fencing reflex" because of the characteristic position of the infant's arms and head, which resembles a classical fencer.
Etymology
The term "Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex" is derived from its characteristic features. "Asymmetrical" refers to the uneven or unbalanced nature of the reflex, "Tonic" refers to the sustained muscle contraction, "Neck" indicates the body part involved, and "Reflex" denotes the automatic response to a stimulus.
Description
The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex is elicited when the head of a supine infant is turned to one side. The arm and leg on the side to which the head is turned extend, while the arm and leg on the opposite side flex, giving the appearance of a fencing pose.
Clinical Significance
The persistence of the ATNR beyond the first six months of life may indicate neurological problems, including conditions such as Cerebral Palsy or Developmental Coordination Disorder. It can also interfere with activities such as crawling, walking, and hand-eye coordination.
Related Terms
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex
- Wikipedia's article - Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex
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