reflex action

1. An automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus (synset 100865191)
   is a type of: reaction, response - a bodily process occurring due to the effect of some antecedent stimulus or agent
   subtypes:

   • accommodation reflex - reflex changes in the eyes that enable an object to be focused on the retina
   • babinski, babinski reflex, babinski sign - extension upward of the toes when the sole of the foot is stroked firmly on the outer side from the heel to the front; normal in infants under the age of two years but a sign of brain or spinal cord injury in older persons
   • belch, belching, burp, burping, eructation - a reflex that expels gas noisily from the stomach through the mouth
   • blink, blinking, eye blink, nictation, nictitation, wink, winking - a reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly
   • blush, flush - sudden reddening of the face (as from embarrassment or guilt or shame or modesty)
   • disgorgement, emesis, puking, regurgitation, vomit, vomiting - the reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth
   • defecation reflex, rectal reflex - normal response to the presence of feces in the rectum
   • oscitance, oscitancy, yawn, yawning - an involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth; usually triggered by fatigue or boredom
   • electric shock, electrical shock, shock - a reflex response to the passage of electric current through the body
   • breaking wind, fart, farting, flatus, wind - a reflex that expels intestinal gas through the anus
   • gulp, gulping - a spasmodic reflex of the throat made as if in swallowing
   • knee jerk, knee-jerk reflex, patellar reflex - a reflex extension of the leg resulting from a sharp tap on the patellar tendon
   • light reflex, miosis, myosis, pupillary reflex - reflex contraction of the sphincter muscle of the iris in response to a bright light (or certain drugs) causing the pupil to become smaller
   • mydriasis - reflex pupillary dilation as a muscle pulls the iris outward; occurs in response to a decrease in light or certain drugs
   • micturition reflex - relaxation of the urethral sphincter in response to increased pressure in the bladder
   • gag reflex, pharyngeal reflex - normal reflex consisting of retching; may be produced by touching the soft palate in the back of the mouth
   • goose bump, goose pimple, goose skin, goosebump, gooseflesh, horripilation, pilomotor reflex - reflex erection of hairs of the skin in response to cold or emotional stress or skin irritation
   • plantar reflex - flexion of the toes when the sole of the foot is stroked firmly on the outer side from the heel to the front in persons over the age of 2 years; under 2 years the results should be extension of the toes (Babinski reflex)
   • rooting reflex - reflex consisting of head-turning and sucking movements elicited in a normal infant by gently stroking the side of the mouth or cheek
   • jump, start, startle - a sudden involuntary movement
   • myotactic reflex, stretch reflex - reflex contraction of a muscle when an attached tendon is pulled; important in maintaining erect posture
   • suckling reflex - reflex behavior in newborn mammals; includes finding and grasping the nipple in the mouth and sucking on it and swallowing the milk
   • shake, shiver, tremble - a reflex motion caused by cold or fear or excitement
   • sneeze, sneezing, sternutation - a symptom consisting of the involuntary expulsion of air from the nose
   • hiccough, hiccup, singultus - (usually plural) the state of having reflex spasms of the diaphragm accompanied by a rapid closure of the glottis producing an audible sound; sometimes a symptom of indigestion
   same as: inborn reflex, innate reflex, instinctive reflex, physiological reaction, reflex, reflex response, unconditioned reflex

Other Searches

• Rhyme: Dillfrog, RhymeZone
• Definition: Wiktionary, Dictionary.com, Wikipedia, Merriam-Webster, WordNet, Power Thesaurus
• Imagery: Google, Flickr, Bing