|
Definition of Knee-jerk reflex
1. Noun. A reflex extension of the leg resulting from a sharp tap on the patellar tendon.
Exact synonyms: Knee Jerk, Patellar Reflex
Generic synonyms: Inborn Reflex, Innate Reflex, Instinctive Reflex, Physiological Reaction, Reflex, Reflex Action, Reflex Response, Unconditioned Reflex
Generic synonyms: Inborn Reflex, Innate Reflex, Instinctive Reflex, Physiological Reaction, Reflex, Reflex Action, Reflex Response, Unconditioned Reflex
Medical Definition of Knee-jerk reflex
1. A sudden contraction of the anterior muscles of the thigh, caused by a smart tap on the patellar tendon while the leg hangs loosely at a right angle with the thigh. Synonym: knee jerk, knee phenomenon, knee reflex, knee-jerk reflex, patellar tendon reflex, quadriceps reflex. (05 Mar 2000)