The Babinski sign is a neurological reflex that is used to determine the presence of certain neurological disorders. It is named after the French neurologist Joseph Babinski, who first described it in 1896. The Babinski sign is often used in combination with other neurological tests to diagnose conditions such as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and brain tumors.
Definitions
The Babinski sign is a reflex that occurs when the sole of the foot is stroked. In a normal reflex, the toes curl downward. However, in the Babinski sign, the toes fan out and the big toe moves upward. This is an abnormal reflex and may indicate damage to the central nervous system.
Origin
The Babinski sign was first described by Joseph Babinski in 1896. He observed the reflex in patients with various neurological disorders and noted that it was absent in healthy individuals. Since then, the Babinski sign has become an important diagnostic tool in the field of neurology.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the Babinski sign is “an extension upward of the great toe with fanning of the other toes on stimulation of the sole of the foot that is normal in infants but is indicative of a central nervous system disorder when occurring in adults.”
The Oxford dictionary defines the Babinski sign as “an abnormal reflex in which the big toe moves upward and the other toes fan out when the sole of the foot is stroked, indicating damage to the central nervous system.”
Associations
The Babinski sign is often associated with conditions such as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, and cerebral palsy. It may also be present in individuals with stroke, meningitis, or encephalitis.
Synonyms
The Babinski sign is also known as the Babinski reflex, the plantar reflex, or the upgoing toe reflex.
Antonyms
There are no antonyms for the Babinski sign.
The same root words
There are no root words associated with the Babinski sign.
Example Sentences
- The presence of the Babinski sign may indicate damage to the central nervous system.
- The Babinski reflex is often used in combination with other neurological tests to diagnose conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
- The upgoing toe reflex, also known as the Babinski sign, is an abnormal reflex that may be present in individuals with cerebral palsy.
The Babinski sign is an important diagnostic tool in the field of neurology. It is an abnormal reflex that may indicate damage to the central nervous system and is often associated with conditions such as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and brain tumors. By understanding the meaning and associations of the Babinski sign, healthcare professionals can better diagnose and treat neurological disorders.