What is the cremasteric reflex?
The cremasteric reflex is a superficial reflex found in human males that is elicited when the inner part of the thigh is stroked. Stroking of the skin causes the cremaster muscle to contract and pull up the ipsilateral testicle toward the inguinal canal.
What is the role of the cremasteric reflex in assessing scrotal pain?
The cremasteric reflex can be performed in assessing scrotal pain. While some studies report a high correlation of loss of cremasteric reflex and testicular torsion, there are a surprising number of studies reporting the persistence of the reflex during verified cases of torsion.
What is the difference between the cremasteric and Geigel reflexes?
Like other superficial reflexes, it is simply graded as present or absent. A female counterpart of the cremasteric reflex is the Geigel reflex. In the female, it involves the contraction of muscle fibers along the upper part of the Poupart or inguinal ligament and is sometimes called the inguinal reflex.
What causes the cremasteric reflex to be absent in torsion?
The cremasteric reflex may be absent with testicular torsion, upper and lower motor neuron disorders, as well as a spine injury of L1-L2. It can also occur if the ilioinguinal nerve has accidentally been cut during a hernia repair.
The cremasteric reflex is a superficial reflex found in human males that is elicited when the inner part of the thigh is stroked. Stroking of the skin causes the cremaster muscle to contract and pull up the ipsilateral testicle toward the inguinal canal. Like other superficial reflexes, it is simply graded as present or absent.
Does the cremaster reflex protect the testis?
Teleologically, the cremaster reflex protects the testis by drawing it out of harm’s way, but it may cause a normal testis to mimic an undescended testis. A retractile testis should be suspected in the 2- to 12-year-old child with a possible undescended testis.
What nerve causes the cremaster reflex?
After these sensory nerves synapse in the spinal cord, the motor fibers of the genitofemoral nerve are activated, and cremaster muscle is caused to contract with resultant elevation of the ipsilateral testicle. Because it is a superficial reflex, it is different from muscle stretch reflexes.
How do you test the cremasteric reflex?
The cremasteric reflex can be provoked and tested by stroking the skin of the medial aspect of the thigh as well as applying cold stimuli in the same location. This stimulates the ilioinguinal nerve, which consequently activates the genital branch of genitofemoral nerve that innervates and activates the muscle.