The external ear canal contralateral lower limb reflex: a case report

Abstract

A tactile stimulus applied to the EEC can reflexly cause the contralateral hip-thigh to flex at the hip joint and the leg to extend. Various stimuli, e.g., pressure, thermal or nociceptive, may also initiate the above reflex. The conjectured reflex is considered to be mediated via afferent fibers to the spinal tract and nucleus of the fifth cranial nerve, synapsing with the brainstem reticular core in the medulla and/or pons. The reticulospinal motor system descending in the spinal cord relays the afferent fibers to the contra lower limb appropriate musculature. The overt reflex is indeed rare.