The clinical utility of this observation went unnoticed for forty-six years, until Chaney re-emphasized prolongation of the deep tendon reflexes in myxedema and produced graphic records of this ...

Deep-tendon reflex: When the tendon below your kneecap is tapped in the right spot, it’s briefly stretched. During the stretch, a signal is sent to the spinal cord.

Usually, absent reflexes are caused by an issue with the nerves in the tendon and muscle. You may have other muscle symptoms along with areflexia, like weakness, twitching, or atrophy.

Spasticity is characterized by increased stretch reflexes, resistance to passive movement with a clasp-knife phenomena, ankle clonus, and increased deep tendon reflexes. [9] ...