Clinical Diagnosis · Nervous System · Medium
Hyperreflexia
Meaning: Abnormally brisk or exaggerated tendon jerks, typically a sign of an upper motor neurone lesion.
In practice: Bilateral hyperreflexia and upgoing plantars pointed towards cervical cord compression.
Word parts
- hyper- means above or more than normal
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
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Which word means: An area of dead tissue caused by loss of blood supply.
Answer: Infarct
Which word means: A severe mental illness causing hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking and social withdrawal.
Answer: Schizophrenia
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