kaitserefleks
Kaitserefleks is the Estonian term for protective reflexes, a class of automatic motor responses whose main purpose is to defend the body from injury or threat. These reflexes are fast, involuntary, and largely stereotyped, triggered by stimuli that can be nociceptive, tactile, visual, or auditory. The concept encompasses a range of defensive reactions that help minimize damage and maintain safety.
Mechanistically, protective reflexes are organized as reflex arcs. A sensory receptor detects a stimulus and sends
Common examples include withdrawal of a limb from a painful stimulus, blinking or corneal reflexes to protect
Clinical relevance lies in the assessment of neurological integrity. Variations or abnormalities in protective reflexes can
See also: reflex arc, nociception, startle response, cranial nerve reflexes.