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"Upgoing plantar" is a term used to describe the reflex primarily of infants to the stroking of the bottom of the foot. Presence of this reflex in children older than one could indicate a disturbance in the central nervous system.
Identification
When stimulated with stroking of the plantar region (sole of the foot), an "upgoing reflex" would include extension of the big toe and fanning out of the remaining four toes.
Significance
It's not uncommon for infants to display the "upgoing reflex," but by their first year, the plantar surface sensitive to the reflex becomes smaller and should diminish by age two.
History
Today's knowledge of permanent "upgoing reflex" has been attributed to Dr. Joseph Babinski, who did extensive study about the topic in 1903. The reflex was previously referred to as the "Babinski reflex" before becoming known as "upgoing plantar."
Effects
Normal adult response to the plantar stroke test is for the toes to curl downward and the plantar region to flex.
Considerations
It used to be thought that an individual who displays a permanent "upgoing plantar" reflex suffered from nerve issues associated with motor neuron lesions, but it's now established that it can be attributed to numerous brain or spinal conditions.
Source:
Wiley InterScience: "Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology"; MacKeith Press; 2010
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