Falkson Samuel R., Hinson Joshua W.
Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine
Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
The Westphal sign refers to a decreased or absent patellar tendon reflex (knee-jerk reflex) on physical examination. The patellar tendon reflex refers to a kicking-like motion produced by the extension of the knee joint upon the ipsilateral stimulation of the patellar tendon. The reflex is thought to play a role in maintaining balance. The recognition of the importance of deep tendon reflexes in physical examination is often attributed to Wilhelm Heinrich Erb and Carl Friedrich Otto Westphal, who both noted this finding in the late 1800s. The Westphal sign is named after Carl Friedrich Otto Westphal. The patellar tendon reflex is a deep tendon reflex, similar to the biceps, brachioradialis, triceps, Achilles, and jaw jerk reflexes.
韦斯法尔征是指在体格检查中观察到的髌腱反射减弱或消失，也称为膝跳反射。髌腱反射是指在同侧刺激髌腱时，膝关节伸展所产生的类似踢腿的动作。该反射被认为在维持平衡中起作用。在体格检查中认识到深腱反射的重要性通常归功于威廉·海因里希·厄布和卡尔·弗里德里希·奥托·韦斯法尔，他们在19世纪后期都注意到了这一发现。因此，韦斯法尔征得名于卡尔·弗里德里希·奥托·韦斯法尔。髌腱反射是一种深腱反射，类似于肱二头肌、肱桡肌、肱三头肌、跟腱和下颌反射。
