Hung up reflex is seen in-
**Core Concept**
Hung up reflex, also known as a delayed relaxation phase, is a phenomenon observed in certain reflexes, particularly in the stretch reflex. It occurs when the muscle tension fails to return to its resting state after the stimulus, resulting in an abnormal prolongation of the reflex arc.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The hung up reflex is typically seen in patients with upper motor neuron lesions, such as those resulting from stroke or spinal cord injury. This is because the upper motor neurons play a crucial role in regulating the reflex arc and modulating muscle tone. When these neurons are damaged, the reflex arc becomes disrupted, leading to an abnormal prolongation of the reflex. Specifically, the lesion disrupts the inhibitory control of the gamma motor neurons, which normally regulate the sensitivity of the muscle spindle and contribute to the relaxation phase of the reflex.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Incorrect because hung up reflex is not typically associated with peripheral nerve lesions, which would more likely result in weakness, numbness, or paresthesia.
**Option B:** Incorrect because hypertonicity is a result of upper motor neuron lesions, not a cause of hung up reflex.
**Option C:** Incorrect because spasticity is a condition characterized by increased muscle tone, but it does not specifically refer to the phenomenon of hung up reflex.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
In clinical practice, a hung up reflex can be a subtle but important sign of an upper motor neuron lesion, and should be carefully evaluated in patients with suspected neurological disorders.
**Correct Answer: C. Spasticity**