Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Crossed extensor reflex
Introduction
The crossed extensor reflex is a withdrawal reflex.
When the reflex occurs the flexors in the withdrawing limb contract and the extensors relax, while in the other limb the opposite occurs.
An example of this is when a person steps on a nail, the leg that is stepping on the nail pulls away, while the other leg takes the weight of the whole body.
Another example of a crossed extensor reflex is when someone violently grabs your arm, the arm that is grabbed retracts towards the body while the other arm moves towards the attacker for protection.
External links
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]