| flexor retinaculum of forearm | Thickening of distal antebrachial fascia just proximal to radiocarpal (wrist) joint. Continuous with extensor retinaculum at margins of forearm. This structure is distinct from the transverse carpal ligament, commonly called "the flexor retinaculum," which forms the roof of the carpal tunnel. Synonym: flexor retinaculum of forearm, palmar carpal ligament. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| flexor retinaculum of lower limb | A wide band passing from the medial malleolus to the medial and upper border of the calcaneus and to the plantar surface as far as the navicular bone; it holds in place the tendons of the tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, and flexor hallucis longus. Synonym: retinaculum musculorum flexorum, laciniate ligament, ligamentum laciniatum, retinaculum of flexor muscles. (05 Mar 2000) |
| long flexor muscle of great toe | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, lower two-thirds of posterior surface of fibula; insertion, base of distal phalanx of great toe; action, flexes great toe; nerve supply, medial plantar. Synonym: musculus flexor hallucis longus, long flexor muscle of great toe, musculus flexor longus hallucis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| long flexor muscle of thumb | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, anterior surface of middle third of radius; insertion, distal phalanx of thumb; action, flexes distal phalanx of thumb; nerve supply, median palmar interosseous. Synonym: musculus flexor pollicis longus, long flexor muscle of thumb, musculus flexor longus pollicis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| long flexor muscle of toes | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, middle third of posterior surface of tibia; insertion, by four tendons, perforating those of the flexor brevis, into bases of distal phalanges of four lateral toes; action, flexes second to fifth toes; nerve supply, tibial nerve. Synonym: musculus flexor digitorum longus, long flexor muscle of toes, musculus flexor longus digitorum. (05 Mar 2000) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| 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) |