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The external ear canal contralateral lower limb reflex: a case report.

¹Department of Surgery, Andrus Pavilion, St. John's Riverside Hospital, Yonkers, New York 10701.

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|March 1, 1992

Summary

A rare reflex causes the contralateral hip and thigh to flex, and the leg to extend, when the ear is stimulated. This reflex involves the fifth cranial nerve and brainstem reticular formation.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Reflex pathways
Human physiology

Background:

The external ear canal (EEC) can elicit reflex responses in the contralateral lower limb.
Various stimuli, including tactile, thermal, and nociceptive, can trigger this reflex.

Observation:

Tactile stimulation of the EEC leads to contralateral hip-thigh flexion and leg extension.
This reflex pathway is hypothesized to involve the spinal tract and nucleus of the fifth cranial nerve.

Findings:

The reflex is mediated through the brainstem reticular core in the medulla and/or pons.
The reticulospinal motor system relays afferent signals to the contralateral lower limb musculature.

Implications:

Understanding this rare reflex provides insights into brainstem and spinal cord integration.
Further research could explore the clinical significance of this reflex in neurological conditions.

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