Reflexes: Abnormal Findings

Babinski sign

Video: The video shows an example of a Babinski sign - upgoing toes or an extensor response when the sole of the foot is stroked. This abnormal finding suggests a lesion of the corticospinal tract (upper motor neurons) in the brain, brainstem or spinal cord. The normal response to stroking the sole of the foot is flexion of the toes (downgoing toes). An extensor response is expected in an infant because the corticospinal pathways are not fully myelinated and the reflex is not inhibited by the cerebral cortex.

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