Reflexive fanning out and curling of an infant's toes when the sole is stroked is called what?

• A. Moro Reflex
• B. Rooting Reflex
• C. Sucking Reflex
• D. Babinski Reflex

Answer: (D)

The Babinski reflex is being tested here. When the sole is stroked, a newborn typically shows an upward bending (dorsiflexion) of the big toe with the other toes fanning outward. This occurs because the corticospinal pathways aren’t fully mature yet. It’s a normal finding in infancy and tends to disappear as the nervous system matures, usually by about the first year of life. In older individuals, a similar Toe fanning response can indicate an upper motor neuron issue, which is why this reflex is often used as a neurological sign. The other reflexes mentioned are feeding or startle responses: rooting guides the infant to turn toward a touch on the cheek to find a nipple, and sucking is the automatic sucking action when something is in the mouth, while the Moro reflex involves a sudden arm extension and then hugging motion in response to a drop or loud noise.