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Reflexes are automatic body movements that are not under a person's control. Some reflexes last throughout life, such as the physical response to being startled, while others go away as the nervous system matures, such as the rooting reflex of newborns that helps them latch on to the breast or bottle for feeding.
Reflexes can be affected by injury, disease, and some medicines.
Current as of: August 25, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal Medicine & Donald Sproule MDCM, CCFP - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine & Nancy Greenwald MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
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