Hyporeflexia

Hyporeflexia is an abnormally weak or absent response to a stimulus that normally elicits a reflex. It is a clinical finding that can reflect disruption anywhere along the reflex pathway.

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Deep tendon reflex: A muscle contraction elicited by briefly stretching its tendon, commonly tested with a reflex hammer. Reduced tendon responses are the classic bedside sign of hyporeflexia.
Neurological examination: A structured assessment of nervous-system function using observation, physical maneuvers, and patient responses. Clinicians assess reflexes alongside strength, sensation, and coordination.
Hyperreflexia: Abnormally brisk or exaggerated reflex responses, often associated with upper motor neuron dysfunction. It is the opposite reflex pattern and often suggests a different lesion location.
Lower motor neuron lesion: Damage to motor neurons or their axons connecting the spinal cord or brainstem to muscle. Such lesions often reduce reflexes by interrupting the motor limb of the pathway.
Stretch reflex: A reflex contraction triggered when muscle spindles detect muscle stretch. Weak stretch-reflex output accounts for many reduced tendon responses.
Achilles reflex: An ankle reflex produced by tapping the Achilles tendon, mainly testing the S1 spinal nerve root. A reduced response can help identify S1 or peripheral nerve dysfunction.
Areflexia: The absence of a reflex that would normally be present. Areflexia is more complete loss of response than hyporeflexia.
Guillain–Barré syndrome: An acute immune-mediated disorder of peripheral nerves that can cause progressive weakness and reduced reflexes. Hyporeflexia is a characteristic examination finding in this syndrome.
Reflex arc: The neural pathway connecting a sensory stimulus to a motor response. Damage to any link in this pathway can weaken a reflex.
Biceps reflex: An arm tendon reflex elicited by tapping the biceps tendon, mainly testing the C5–C6 spinal levels. Comparing its response with other reflexes helps localize an abnormality.