Which reflex occurs when the head is turned to one side, causing the ipsilateral arm and leg to extend while the contralateral extremities flex?

Which reflex occurs when the head is turned to one side, causing the ipsilateral arm and leg to extend while the contralateral extremities flex?

• A. Tonic Neck
• B. Stepping
• C. Visual Cliff
• D. Halo Effect

Answer: (A)

The pattern being tested is the asymmetric tonic neck reflex. When an infant’s head is turned to one side, the arm and leg on that same side (ipsilateral) extend while the opposite side (contralateral) flexes. This reflex helps coordinate head and limb positioning in early development and typically fades by about 4 to 6 months of age. Other options don’t describe this head-turn–induced asymmetrical limb response. The stepping reflex involves a stepping motion when the infant is held upright with feet touching a surface. The visual cliff relates to depth perception, not a reflex. The halo effect is a cognitive bias, not a motor reflex.

The pattern being tested is the asymmetric tonic neck reflex. When an infant’s head is turned to one side, the arm and leg on that same side (ipsilateral) extend while the opposite side (contralateral) flexes. This reflex helps coordinate head and limb positioning in early development and typically fades by about 4 to 6 months of age.

Other options don’t describe this head-turn–induced asymmetrical limb response. The stepping reflex involves a stepping motion when the infant is held upright with feet touching a surface. The visual cliff relates to depth perception, not a reflex. The halo effect is a cognitive bias, not a motor reflex.