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.
H-reflex
Introduction
The H-reflex is a reflectory reaction of muscles after electrical stimulation of sensory fibers (Ia afferents stemming from muscle spindles) in their innervating nerves (for example, those located behind the knee).
H-reflex is analogous to the mechanically induced spinal stretch reflex (for example, knee jerk reflex) because both cases muscle-spindle innervating fibers are activated.
H-reflex is used to assess fitness of astronauts. H-reflex was the first medical experiment completed on the International Space Station.
External links
External links
- H-Reflex at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
References
References
- ↑ Hoffmann P. Beitrag zur Kenntnis der menschlichen Reflexe mit besonderer Berucksichtigung der elektrischen Erscheinungen. Arch Anat Physiol. 1910;1:223–246.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]