label: Grasp reflex
label_lc: grasp reflex
description: "A type of primitive reflex that can be elicated when the hand of the examiner is gently inserted into the palm of the patient's hand. The palmar surface is stroked or simply touched. The flexor surfaces of the fingers may be stimulated also by the examiner's fingers. The stimulus should be in a distal direction. With a positive response, the patient grasps the examiner's hand with variable strength and continues to grasp as the examiner's hand is moved. Ability to release the grip voluntarily depends on the activity of the reflex; some patients can do so readily, while others can even be lifted off the bed, since the grasp has such power [NCBI Books:NBK395]."