Galant's biceps reflex

Biceps reflex is a reflex test that examines the function of the C5 reflex arc and the C6 reflex arc. The test is performed by using a tendon hammer to quickly depress the biceps brachii tendon as it passes through the cubital fossa. Specifically, the test activates the stretch receptors inside the biceps brachii muscle which communicates mainly with the C5 spinal nerve and partially with the C6 spinal nerve to induce a reflex contraction of the biceps muscle and jerk of the forearm.

Galant's biceps reflex

A strong contraction indicates a 'brisk' reflex, and a weak or absent reflex is known as 'diminished'. Brisk or absent reflexes are used as clues to the location of neurological disease. Typically brisk reflexes are found in lesions of upper motor neurones, and absent or reduced reflexes are found in lower motor neurone lesions.

A change to the biceps reflex indicates pathology at the level of musculocutaneous nerve, segment C5/6 or at some point above it in the spinal cord or brain.

📖 Neurology: A Clinician’s Approach  
Johann Susmann Galant (1896 - 1978).

Johann Sussmann Galant studied medicine in Basel and obtained his medical doctorate there in 1917.

Bibliography

Ungewöhnliche Störungen der Persönlichkeit (Das Phänomen der illusionierten Persönlichkeit).

Journal für Psychologie und Neurologie, Leipzig, 1924, 30 (5-6): 270-275.

Sittlichkeit im Rußland der Zaren.

In: Beiträge zum Sexualproblem, published by Dr. Felix Aaron Theilhaber. Heft 15. 36 pages. Der Syndikalist, 1928.

References

1: Knatt T, Guanche C, Solomonow M, Lu Y, Baratta R, Zhou BH. The glenohumeral-

biceps reflex in the feline. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1995 May;(314):247-52. PMID:

7634642.

2: Keles I, Nilufer B, Mehmet B. The effect of elbow position on biceps tendon

reflex. Neurol India. 2004 Sep;52(3):350-2. Erratum in: Neurol India. 2005

Jun;53(2):223. PMID: 15472425.

3: Zheng CJ, Zhu Y, Jin X, Lu FZ, Xia XL, Zhu DQ, Weber R, Dorri MH, Jiang JY.

Potential advantages of the H-reflex of the biceps femoris-long head in

documenting S1 radiculopathy. J Clin Neurophysiol. 2014 Feb;31(1):41-7. doi:

10.1097/WNP.0000000000000016. PMID: 24492445.

Tags:  biceps reflex test, biceps reflex nerve root, biceps reflex c5, biceps reflex c5 c6, biceps reflex response, biceps reflex 2+, biceps reflex spinal level, biceps reflex tests what nerve, biceps reflex arc, biceps reflex assessment, biceps reflex afferent nerve, biceps reflex another name, biceps reflex abbreviation, biceps reflex receptor and effector, biceps tendon reflex arc, biceps reflex on arm, the biceps reflex, effector a biceps reflex, what is normal biceps reflex, how to get biceps reflex