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A reflex hammer is a medical instrument used by practitioners to test deep tendon reflexes. Testing for reflexes is an important part of the neurological physical examination in order to detect abnormalities in the central or peripheral nervous system. Reflex hammers can also be used for chest percussion.〔Swartz MH. ''Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination.'' Third edition. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1998〕 ==Models of reflex hammer== Prior to the development of specialized reflex hammers, hammers specific for percussion of the chest were used to elicit reflexes.〔Lanska DJ. The history of reflex hammers. ''Neurology''. 1989 Nov;39(11):1542-9. PMID 2682351〕 However, this proved to be cumbersome, as the weight of the chest percussion hammer was insufficient to generate an adequate stimulus for a reflex. Starting in the late 19th century, several models of specific reflex hammers were created: *The Taylor or tomahawk reflex hammer was designed by John Madison Taylor in 1888 〔Lanska DJ, Lanska MJ. John Madison Taylor (1855-1931) and the first reflex hammer. ''J Child Neurol.'' 1990 Jan;5(1):38-9. PMID 2405048〕 and is the most well known reflex hammer in the USA. It consists of a triangular rubber component which is attached to a flat metallic handle. The traditional Taylor hammer is significantly lighter in weight when compared to the heavier European hammers. *The Queen Square reflex hammer was designed for use at the ''National Hospital for Nervous Diseases'' (now the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery) in Queen Square, London. It was originally made with a bamboo or cane handle of varying length, of average 10 to 16 inches (25 to 40 centimetres), attached to a 2-inch (5 centimetre) metal disk with a plastic bumper.〔Lanska DJ, Dietrichs E. *The Babinski reflex hammer was designed by Joseph Babiński in 1912〔 and is similar to the Queen Square hammer, except that it has a metallic handle that is often detachable.〔Lanska DJ. The Babinski reflex hammer. ''Neurology.'' 1999 Aug 11;53(3):655 PMID 10449145〕 Babinski hammers can also be telescoping, allowing for compact storage. Babinski's hammer was popularized in clinical use in America by the neurologist Abraham Rabiner, who was given the instrument as a peace offering by Babinski after the two brawled at a black tie affair in Vienna.〔 *The Trömner reflex hammer was designed by Ernst Trömner. This model is shaped like a two-headed mallet. The larger mallet is used to elicit tendon stretch reflexes, and the smaller mallet is used to elicit percussion myotonia. *Other reflex hammer types include the Buck, Berliner and Stookey reflex hammers.〔 There are numerous models available from various commercial sources. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Reflex hammer」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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