Which sign is used to assess the plantar reflex during a neurological examination?

• A. Babinski Test (Plantar response)
• B. Oppenheim test
• C. Gordon sign
• D. Chaddock sign

Answer: (A)

The plantar reflex is a key way to gauge corticospinal tract function, and the classic sign used is the Babinski sign. In an adult, stroking the lateral sole normally elicits toe curling (plantar flexion). If the big toe dorsiflexes and the other toes fan out, that upward response is called a positive Babinski sign and points to an upper motor neuron dysfunction along the corticospinal pathway.

Other signs listed are alternative methods that can also reveal pyramidal tract issues, but they’re not the standard test for the plantar reflex. They rely on similar reflex pathways and can be positive in UMN lesions, but the Babinski sign remains the most widely taught and relied-upon indicator of an abnormal plantar response.