CORNEAL REFLEX Meaning and
Definition
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The corneal reflex, also known as the blink reflex or the corneal reflex arc, is a protective bodily reflex that occurs in response to stimulation of the cornea. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped structure located at the front of the eye, covering the iris and the pupil. This reflex is mediated by the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V), a major nerve responsible for facial sensation and motor function.
When an object comes into contact with the cornea, sensory receptors called corneal nerves are triggered, sending nerve signals to the sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve in the brainstem. In a normal corneal reflex response, the motor division of the trigeminal nerve conveys these signals to the muscles controlling the eyelids, specifically the orbicularis oculi muscle. As a result, a rapid blinking or closure of the eyelids occurs, protecting the eye from potential harm or injury.
The corneal reflex is an involuntary, bilateral response that is essential for maintaining ocular health and integrity. It is an important clinical tool used by healthcare professionals to assess the neurological function of the trigeminal nerve and the overall health of the eye. Alterations or absence of the corneal reflex can indicate underlying nerve damage, disorders, or abnormal eye conditions. Therefore, evaluation of the corneal reflex is crucial in diagnosing various neuropathies, trigeminal nerve lesions, or other neurological disorders that may affect sensory perception and motor function in the face and eyes.
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(1) A contraction of the eyelids when the cornea is lightly touched with a camel's-hair pencil; (2) reflection of lines, as the bars of a window or the circles of a keratoscope, from the surface of the cornea.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CORNEAL REFLEX
- xorneal reflex
- vorneal reflex
- forneal reflex
- dorneal reflex
- cirneal reflex
- ckrneal reflex
- clrneal reflex
- cprneal reflex
- c0rneal reflex
- c9rneal reflex
- coeneal reflex
- codneal reflex
- cofneal reflex
- cotneal reflex
- co5neal reflex
- co4neal reflex
- corbeal reflex
- cormeal reflex
- corjeal reflex
- corheal reflex
Etymology of CORNEAL REFLEX
The word "corneal" comes from the Latin word "cornea", which means "horny" or "like a horn". It is derived from the Latin word "cornu", meaning "horn". The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped part of the eye covering the iris and the pupil.
The word "reflex" comes from the Latin word "reflexus", which means "bent back" or "reflected". It is derived from the Latin word "re-" (back) and "flectere" (to bend). In physiology, a reflex refers to an involuntary response or action that occurs automatically in response to a specific stimulus.
Therefore, the term "corneal reflex" is used to describe the involuntary blinking or closure of the eyelids that occurs when the cornea is touched or stimulated.
Similar spelling words for CORNEAL REFLEX
- Cranial reflex,
- Reflex, Corneal,
- Reflex Corneal.
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