Correspondence

Letter to the Editor

The sign of Babinski is not a different reaction from the normal nociceptive polysynaptic reflex; it is rather a hyperactive flexion reflex in which extensor hallucis longus is included by irradiation, that is, synaptic hyperexcitability within the S-1 spinal neuropil. Note that the generic name of this reflex is plantar reflex. The normal reaction with downgoing great toe is called flexor plantar reflex (response). The pathological extensor plantar reflex (response) is manifested by hallux dorsiflexion at the metatarsophalangeal joint. The eponym ‘Babinski sign ’(response, or reflex) is synonymous with extensor plantar reflex (response). The term ‘Babinski ’should not be used to indicate the plantar reflex or the site of stimulation; there is no such thing as a negative Babinski.