Akademik

jerk
1. A sudden pull. 2. SYN: deep reflex.
- ankle j. SYN: Achilles reflex.
- chin j. SYN: jaw reflex.
- crossed j. SYN: crossed reflex.
- crossed adductor j. SYN: crossed adductor reflex.
- crossed knee j. SYN: crossed knee reflex.
- elbow j. SYN: triceps reflex.
- jaw j. SYN: jaw reflex.
- knee j. SYN: patellar reflex.
- supinator j. SYN: brachioradial reflex.

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jerk 'jərk n an involuntary spasmodic muscular movement due to reflex action esp one induced by an external stimulus see KNEE JERK

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n.
the sudden contraction of a muscle in response to a nerve impulse. The knee jerk (see patellar reflex) is the reflex kicking movement produced by contraction of the quadriceps muscle of the thigh after it has been stretched by tapping the tendon below the knee. Eliciting this and other jerks, such as the ankle and elbow jerks, is a means of testing the nerve pathways, via the spinal cord, which are involved in reflex.

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(jurk) a sudden reflex or involuntary movement.

Medical dictionary. 2011.