Babinski’s sign is a medical term that is named after Joseph Babinski, a French neurologist. This sign is used to diagnose neurological disorders and is characterized by the upward movement of the big toe and the fanning out of the other toes when the sole of the foot is stroked. In this article, we will discuss the definition, origin, meaning, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences of Babinski’s sign.
Definitions
Babinski’s sign is a reflex that is used to test the integrity of the central nervous system. It is characterized by the upward movement of the big toe and the fanning out of the other toes when the sole of the foot is stroked. This reflex is normally present in infants and disappears as they grow older. However, if it is present in adults, it may indicate a neurological disorder.
Origin
Babinski’s sign is named after Joseph Babinski, a French neurologist who first described it in 1896. He observed that the upward movement of the big toe and the fanning out of the other toes was a sign of a lesion in the corticospinal tract, which is responsible for voluntary movement.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, Babinski’s sign is defined as “an extension upward of the great toe with spreading of the other toes that is a normal reflex response in infants but is indicative of central nervous system damage in adults.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “an abnormal reflex in which the big toe extends upwards and the other toes fan out when the sole of the foot is stimulated, indicating damage to the central nervous system.”
Associations
Babinski’s sign is associated with a variety of neurological disorders, including spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and stroke. It is also associated with diseases that affect the motor neurons, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy.
Synonyms
The synonyms of Babinski’s sign include the plantar reflex, the Babinski reflex, and the Babinski response.
Antonyms
There are no antonyms of Babinski’s sign as it is a reflex that is either present or absent.
The same root words
The same root words as Babinski’s sign include “Babinski reflex,” “Babinski response,” and “plantar reflex.”
Example Sentences
- The doctor tested the patient’s Babinski’s sign to check for any neurological disorders.
- The presence of Babinski’s sign in adults can indicate damage to the central nervous system.
- The Babinski reflex is a normal response in infants but disappears as they grow older.
Babinski’s sign is a reflex that is used to test the integrity of the central nervous system. It is characterized by the upward movement of the big toe and the fanning out of the other toes when the sole of the foot is stroked. This reflex is normally present in infants and disappears as they grow older. However, if it is present in adults, it may indicate a neurological disorder. Babinski’s sign is associated with a variety of neurological disorders, including spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and stroke. It is important to test for Babinski’s sign in patients who are suspected to have neurological disorders.