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The pterygoid reflex in man and its clinical application
Author(s) -
Hopf H. C.,
Ellrich J.,
Hundemer H.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.880151110
Subject(s) - brainstem , reflex , lateral pterygoid muscle , anatomy , pterygoid muscles , medicine , jaw jerk reflex , corneal reflex , trigeminal nerve , masseter muscle , masticatory force , anesthesia , orthodontics , condyle
A technique for eliciting and recording the stretch reflex (R) of the medial pterygoid muscle (Pter) is described. The latency was 6.9 ± 0.43 ms in 23 healthy volunteers (mean age 23.7 years) showing a side‐to‐side difference of 0.29 ± 0.21 ms. The PterR latencies were little shorter and side‐to‐side difference little greater than of the masseter reflex. Observations in 5 selected patients with small brainstem lesions suggest that the neurons of the PterR afferents form a cluster within the caudal portion of the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus. Testing the masseter and pterygoid reflexes provides a more precise localization of small ponto‐mesencephalic lesions. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.