Righting reaction

The righting response is a neurological test used in veterinary medicine that can be used on small and medium-sized animals. It belongs to the so-called posture and posture reactions and tests the ability of an animal to assume a normal body position in the gravitational field .

execution

During this reaction, the animal is lifted up by the pelvis and the position of the head in relation to the body is assessed. An animal without neurological deficits assumes a head position that is 45 degrees to the trunk. The torso is flexed to enable forward vision, the front legs stretched and a little apart to prepare for footing. By putting on the front legs, the animal tries to put them under the center of gravity and starts running.

Another variant of the righting reaction assesses the standing of the animal from the side position. Usually the animal first goes into a sternal position (supported on the sternum ) and then stands up.

Diagnostic significance

When Aufrichtungsreaktion are facial and sense of balance and self-awareness (proprioception) and motor system involved. To turn off the sense of sight and only check the sense of balance, the test can be performed blindfolded.

If it is impossible to get up from the side position, this indicates an equilateral ( ipsilateral ) failure of the vestibular system, as the connection between the equilibrium tract and the spinal cord ( vestibulospinal tract ) does not cross to the other side of the body.

The processes involved in weaning the animal depend on the proprioceptive pathways.

literature

André Jaggy: Atlas and textbook of small animal neurology . Schlütersche, Hannover 2005, ISBN 3-87706-739-5 , p. 9-10 .