Bulbocavernosus reflex
Bulbocavernosus Reflex (BCR)[edit | edit source]
Overview[edit | edit source]
The Bulbocavernosus Reflex (BCR), also known as the bulbospongiosus reflex or Osinski reflex, is a significant polysynaptic reflex in medical diagnostics. It plays a crucial role in assessing spinal shock and understanding the state of Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI).
Anatomy and Physiology[edit | edit source]
The reflex involves the bulbospongiosus muscle, located in the pelvic floor. It is elicited by a sudden compression of the glans penis or clitoris, resulting in a contraction of the bulbospongiosus muscle.
Medical Significance[edit | edit source]
- Spinal Shock Diagnosis: BCR is essential in diagnosing spinal shock, a temporary condition occurring after a spinal cord injury.
- Spinal Cord Injury Assessment: The reflex provides valuable information about the integrity and level of SCI.
Variations[edit | edit source]
- Bulbocavernosus Reflex: The traditional term, focusing on the male anatomy.
- Bulbospongiosus Reflex: A more inclusive term acknowledging the reflex in both males and females.
Clinical Procedure[edit | edit source]
To elicit the BCR, a clinician applies a stimulus to the genital region and observes the response of the pelvic floor muscles. The presence or absence of the reflex can indicate various neurological conditions.
Importance in Neurological Examinations[edit | edit source]
BCR is a key component in neurological examinations, especially for patients with suspected spinal cord injuries or neurological disorders affecting the lower spinal segments.
Pathological Implications[edit | edit source]
An abnormal BCR can indicate nerve damage or dysfunction in specific spinal cord segments, playing a critical role in diagnosing conditions like Cauda Equina Syndrome.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- National Center for Biotechnology Information - Bulbocavernosus Reflex
- MedlinePlus - Spinal Cord Injuries
- The American Academy of Neurology
| Bulbocavernosus reflex Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
| Bulbocavernosus reflex Resources | |
|---|---|
|
|
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Kondreddy Naveen
