| Achilles reflex | A contraction of the calf muscles when the tendo calcaneus is sharply struck. Synonym: ankle jerk, ankle reflex, tendo Achillis reflex, triceps surae reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| Achilles | Mythical Greek warrior, vulnerable only in the heel. See: Achilles bursa, Achilles reflex, Achilles tendon. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| Achilles bursa | Bursa between the tendo calcaneus and the upper part of the posterior surface of the calcaneum. Synonym: bursa tendinis calcanei, bursa achillis, Achilles bursa. (05 Mar 2000) |
| achilles tendon | <anatomy> The tendon which attaches to the heel and originates from the muscles in the calf (the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles). A strong fibrous tendon which connects the gastrocnemius muscle (calf) to the calcaneous bone in the foot. (27 Sep 1997) |
| achilles' tendon | <anatomy> The strong tendon formed of the united tendons of the large muscles in the calf of the leg, an inserted into the bone of the heel; so called from the mythological account of Achilles being held by the heel when dipped in the River Styx. Origin: L. Achillis tendo. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tendo achilles | See: Tendon, Achilles. (12 Dec 1998) |
| tendon, achilles | One of the longest tendons in the body, the Achilles tendon (formally called the tendo achilles or the tendo calcaneus) is a tough sinew that attaches the calf muscle to the back of the heel bone (the calcaneus). According to greek mythology, achilles's mother held him as a baby by the heel and dipped him in the river styx to make him invulnerable but the heel by which she held him remained unimmersed and hence vulnerable, as paris' arrow in achilles' heel later proved. (12 Dec 1998) |
| abdominocardiac reflex | Mechanical stimulation (usually distention) of abdominal viscera causing changes (usually a slowing) in the heart rate or the occurrence of extrasystoles. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Abrams' heart reflex | A contraction of the myocardium when the skin of the precordial region is irritated. (05 Mar 2000) |
| accommodation reflex | Increased convexity of the lens, due to contraction of the ciliary muscle and relaxation of the suspensory ligament, to maintain a distinct retinal image. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acousticopalpebral reflex | A form of the wink reflex in which there is a contraction, sometimes very slight, of the orbicularis palpebrarum muscle when a sudden noise is made close to the ear; it is absent in labyrinthine disease with total deafness. Synonym: acousticopalpebral reflex, auropalpebral reflex, cochleo-orbicular reflex, startle reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acquired reflex | A reflex that is gradually developed by training and association through the frequent repetition of a definite stimulus. See: conditioning. Synonym: acquired reflex, behaviour reflex, trained reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acromial reflex | Contraction of the biceps muscle caused by a tap on the acromion or the coracoid process. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acute reflex bone atrophy | Atrophy of bones, commonly of the carpal or tarsal bones, following a slight injury such as a sprain. See: causalgia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Synonym: acute reflex bone atrophy, posttraumatic osteoporosis, Sudeck's syndrome. Origin: L. English sweat (05 Mar 2000) |
| adductor reflex | Contraction of the adductors of the thigh caused by tapping the tendon of the adductor magnus muscle while the thigh is abducted. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anal reflex | Contraction of the internal sphincter gripping the finger passed into the rectum. (05 Mar 2000) |