In order to elicit this reflex both eyes of the subject tested are adapted to a constant level of illumination in which darkness is a periodic stimulus. Pupillary reflex definition of pupillary reflex by medical. A circular muscle called the sphincter pupillae accomplishes this task. An increase in light intensity causes both pupils to contract see iris even if only one retina is directly stimulated.
Pupillary reflexes involve the autonomic edingerwestphal component of the oculomotor nucleus. Pupillary light reflex, swinging flashlight test, marcus gunn pupil, direct light reflex, consensual light reflex, direct light pupillary reflex loss, relative afferent pupillary defect, afferent pupillary defect, pupil reactivity. Pupillary reflex sympathetic control this is why horners syndrome is often seen in lesions of the spinothalamic tract, as the descending sympathetic pathway is very close to the spinothalamic tract as can be seen in the axial slices above. Figure 2 schematic diagram of the pathway for the pupillary light reflex. This is achieved by a plr test using red and blue light sequentially,31 termed as a chromatic pupillary light reflex cplr test. Pupillary light reflex synonyms, pupillary light reflex pronunciation, pupillary light reflex translation, english dictionary definition of pupillary light reflex. Edingerwestphal neurons project preganglionic parasympathetic fibers through cn iii to terminate in the ciliary ganglia. The afferents are optic nerve fibres which pass to both pretectal nuclei, crossing in. In this prospective noninterventional study in a surgical icu of a university hospital, pdr was assessed during tetanic stimulation of 10, 20 or 40 ma immediately before 40 endotracheal suctionings. We investigated this pathway by electrophysiological and anatomical techniques in urodeles. Pupillary reflex definition of pupillary reflex by the.
The pupillary light reflex plr or photopupillary reflex is a reflex that controls the diameter of the pupil, in response to the intensity of light that falls on the retinal ganglion cells of the retina in the back of the eye, thereby assisting in adaptation of vision to various levels of lightnessdarkness. Residency director womack army medical center, fort bragg, nc. Retinal receptor cells bipolar cells ganglion cells optic nerve and tract pretectal nucleus in the midbrain edingerwestphal nucleus two neurone pathway via the oculomotor nerve sphincter pupillae constrictor muscle of iris a fferent visual pathway e fferent. Normal pupil an aperture present in the centre of the iris. The diagram below shows the neuroanatomical pathways of the pupillary light reflex. The normal range for each of these parameters is given and the significance of these results in clinical pupillary assessment discussed. The fibers of the sphincter pupillae encompass the pupil. The pathway for pupillary constriction for each eye has an afferent limb taking sensory information to the midbrain, and two efferent limbs one to each eye. Pupiliary pathway visual system organ anatomy scribd. Pupillary reflex refers to one of the reflexes associated with pupillary function types include. Although the photomechanical response of the iris in amphibians has been characterized, the central pathway of reflex control is unknown. Second order neurones passes over the apex of the lung and synapse at the superior cervical ganglion. Postganglionic parasympathetic fibers project from the ciliary ganglia to terminate on the sphincter pupillae muscles, causing bilateral pupillary constriction.
Wernicke reported that the pupillary afferent fibre pathway departs from the visual pathway at the optic tract. The anatomy of the human pupillary light reflex plr pathway is a matter of debate. May 27, 2015 pupillary light reflex pathway part 2 including sample questions duration. Further, we suggest a new strategy of lesion analysis by combining established techniques. A n a t o my o fpupi l l ary p a t h wa y s and a b n o r ma l pupi l s dr. In the light reflex, the pupils constrict when light is shone on the retina. On admission, neurologic physical examination showed dysarthria, bilateral miosis, slow pupillary light reflex, weakened pharyngeal reflex, reduction in the right limb strength right arm strength grade 45, right leg strength grade 25, and hemihypesthesia of the right limb. At the time of the pupillary light reflex, the pupils should be examined for symmetry. Dexter received her optometric training at southern california college of optometry in fullerton, california, where she was class of 2010 valedictorian. To determine the ocular anatomical factors influencing the pupillary light reactions to different wavelengths of light, measured with chromatic pupillometry. The pupillary light reflex pathway lecturer at the. Pupillary light reflex definition of pupillary light. On testing each reflex for each eye, several patterns are possible. Adjustment to closerange vision is known as the near response, while inhibition.
The neural pathway for this triad of responses is not completely understood, but the pupillary response is dependent on a supranuclear frontal and. Pupillary responses stanford medicine 25 stanford medicine. Pupillary reflex measurement predicts insufficient analgesia. When performing the plr examination, a bright light. Lack of the pupillary reflex or an abnormal pupillary reflex can be caused by optic nerve damage, oculomotor nerve damage, brain stem death and depressant drugs, such as barbiturates. A blink response to light develops at about the same time, and the lid may remain closed for as. This response, called the light reflex, is regulated by three structures. The pupillary response curve was analyzed using parameters identical or similar to those employed previously to study the autonomic components of the pupillary light reflex. In this prospective noninterventional study in a surgical icu of a university hospital, pdr was assessed during tetanic stimulation of 10, 20 or 40 ma immediately before 40. In 1939 one of us lowenstein1 described a pupillary reflex which he called the reflex to darkness. Pathway of pupillary light dilation the sympathetic fibres arise initially from the ipsilateral hypothalamus through the midbrain and synapse on the c8t1 nerve roots. Resting pupils should be equal in diameter, although slight differences are insignificant.
The knee jerk is an example of the simplest type of reflex. This page includes the following topics and synonyms. Get a printable copy pdf file of the complete article. Normally, both pupils should constrict with light shone into either eye alone. If the right side of the neck is subjected to a painful stimulus, the right pupil dilates increases in size 12mm from baseline. These are the first steps of the pupillary light reflex afferent pathway. Ocular motor system section 3, chapter 7 neuroscience. Apr 02, 20 causes of light near dissociationbilateral complete afferent pathway defect, e. Pupillary reflex definition of pupillary reflex by. The pupillary light reflex is a test of the functional integrity of the subcortical afferent and efferent pathways and is reliably present after 31 weeks, gestation.
An increase in light intensity causes both pupils to contract see iris 1 even if only one retina is directly stimulated. Pupillary reflex measurement predicts insufficient. Lab 2 report lab 2 report stephanie black left right a. The afferent limb is made up of the retina, the optic nerve and the pretectal nucleus in the midbrain, all on the same side. Direct pupillary responses to continuously increasing irradiances 6. A reflex is built into the nervous system and does not need the intervention of conscious thought to take effect. Pdf the pupillary light response reflects eyemovement. Pupillary reflex pathway the pupillary reflex can be thought of as an afferent limb, a parasympathetic efferent limb, and a sympathetic efferent limb. The pupillary light reflex plr or photopupillary reflex is a reflex that controls the diameter of. The pupillary light reflex pathway cytoarchitectonic. Other articles where pupillary light reflex is discussed.
Chromatic pupillary light reflex and its application in. Therefore, we measured the pupillary light reflex objectively in 15 patients with. The pupillary light response plr is traditionally believed to. Pupillary reflex to darkness jama ophthalmology jama network. Full text full text is available as a scanned copy of the original print version. Sustained responding neurons in the pretectum were localized and characterized. Afferent limb light stimulates photoreceptors and the signal is conveyed to a special set of ganglion cells that send their nerve impulses thru the axons in a similar topographic distribution as those carrying other. Further, we suggest a new strategy of lesion analysis by combining established. A representation of parasympathic pathways in the pupillary light reflex a representation of parasympathic pathways in the pupillary light reflex. Feb 06, 2015 abnormalities of pupillary reflexes 27. Pdf to investigate the autonomic components of the pupillary light reflex in humans. Pupillary light reflex pathway made easy part 2 this video tutorial is brought to you by.
The pathway controlling pupillary light reflex figure 7. The consensual response, or any reflex observed on one side of the body when the other side has been stimulated, is called a contralateral response. From here, the short ciliary nerves innervate the pupillary constrictor muscles to cause constriction of the pupil. The optic nerve then forms the optic chiasm, which diverges into a left and right optic tract. In practice, a negative cplr when evaluated with red light in the 630nm wavelength spectrum, along. Pupillary light reflex pathway, is a reflex that controls the diameter of the pupil, in response to the intensity luminance of light that falls on the retina of the eye, thereby assisting in adaptation to various levels of darkness and light, in addition to retinal sensitivity.
Pupillary light reflex pathway video lecture made easy. Ciliospinal reflex the ciliospinal reflex pupillary skin reflex consists of dilation of the ipsilateral pupil in response to pain applied to the neck, face, and upper trunk. Ciliospinal reflex the ciliospinal reflex pupillaryskin reflex consists of dilation of the ipsilateral pupil in response to pain applied to the neck, face, and upper trunk. Pupillary reflex normal light the pupils looked equal and normal 3mm 3mm light in center of face both pupil size appeared to get a little bit smaller 2mm 2mm flash right eye my right pupil got a little bit bigger than the left 3mm 3. Northeastern state university, oklahoma college of optometry. Further, we suggest a new strategy of lesion analysis by combining established techniques with the stereotaxic probabilistic cytoarchitectonic. She also completed a residency in primary care and ocular disease at the. The pupillary light reflex is a test of the functional integrity of the subcortical afferent and efferent pathways and is reliably present after 31 weeks gestation.
Factors influencing the pupillary light reflex in healthy. Media in category pupillary light reflex the following 7 files are in this category, out of 7 total. Next, note the direct response, meaning constriction of the illuminated pupil, as well as the consensual response, meaning constriction of the opposite pupil. Pupillary light reflex pathway part 2 including sample questions duration. While axons involved in vision reach the conscious level after synapse with the lateral geniculate nucleus, the axons involved in the plr synapse with a third neuron in the pretectal nucleus most of the axons arising from this nucleus decussate. When performing the plr examination, a bright light is shone into one eye at a time. If one eye only is stimulated, both pupils constrict, the socalled consensual reflex.
Pupillary light reflex definition of pupillary light reflex. The pathway of pupillary constriction begins at the edingerwestphal nucleus near. How to check pupil reflexes response consensual and direct reaction. The size of the pupil determines the amount of light that enters the eye. Pupillary reflex size of pupil determined by balance between parasympathetic and sympathetic input parasympathetic constricts the pupil via sphincter muscle sympathetic dilates the pupil via dilator muscle response to light mediated by parasympathetic. Pupillary light reflex pathway part 2 including sample. Bl old totalretinal detachment or bl optic atrophy, the light reflex is absentbut near reflex is present. Although pupillary response, where the pupil dilates or constricts due to light is not usually called a reflex, it is still usually considered a part of this topic. Pupillary pathways american academy of ophthalmology.
This study aimed to evaluate the pupillary dilatation reflex pdr during a tetanic stimulation to predict insufficient analgesia before nociceptive stimulation in the intensive care unit icu. Pdf when the eyes are exposed to an increased influx of light, the pupils constrict. Relative afferent pupillary defects in homonymous visual field. In the retina is a threeneuron circuit consisting of lightsensitive photoreceptors rods, bipolar cells, and retinal ganglion cells. Conversely, a decrease in light intensity causes dilation of the pupils. At the optic chiasm, nasal retinal fibers will cross to the contralateral side of the optic tract, and the temporal retinal fibers continue on the ipsilateral side. The consensual response results in pupillary constriction of the eye not directly stimulated by light, although the response is slightly reduced compared to the eye being directly tested. Parasympathetic innervation leads to pupillary constriction.
The afferent part of the plr shares some common pathways up to the level of the optic tract with the visual pathways. Afferent pathway of pupillary light reflex solid yellow above. A clinical tool for early detection of mtbiconcussion grace lea y. In 19 normal subjects the pupillary reflex to light was studied over a range of stimulus intensities by infrared electronic pupillography and analysed by a computer technique. The details of the pathway are detailed below the diagram.
The anatomy of the human pupillary light reflex plr pathway is a. Pupillary responses can signal potentially serious problems. The pathway controlling the pupillary light reflex in. The neural pathway for this triad of responses is not completely understood, but the pupillary response is dependent on a supranuclear frontal and occipital lobe influence connection between the.
Causes of light near dissociationbilateral complete afferent pathway defect, e. Dec 10, 2012 pupillary light reflex pathway made easy part 2 this video tutorial is brought to you by. Jul 24, 20 this study aimed to evaluate the pupillary dilatation reflex pdr during a tetanic stimulation to predict insufficient analgesia before nociceptive stimulation in the intensive care unit icu. A blink response to light develops at about the same time, and the lid may remain closed for as long as light is present the dazzle reflex. Communitybased, crosssectional study including subjects with normal ocular health ages 5079 years. Increasing stimulus intensity was associated with an increase in direct light reflex amplitude and maximum rate of constriction and redilatation. Postganglionic parasympathetic fibers project from the ciliary ganglia to terminate on the sphincter pupillae mm. From edingerwestphal nucleus, neurons project preganglionic parasympathetic fibers thru cniii to terminate in the ciliary ganglia. Pdf autonomic components of the pupillary light reflex. Pupillary reflex definition of pupillary reflex by the free. The pathway of pupillary constriction begins at the edingerwestphal nucleus near the occulomotor nerve nucleus. Pupillary diameter and reaction to light in preterm.
The pupillary reflex can be thought of as an afferent limb, a parasympathetic efferent limb, and a sympathetic efferent limb. Northeastern state university, oklahoma college of. Combining with earlier normals, segments 2, 4, 6, 7, and 8 are all normal. The pupillary light reflex neural pathway on each side has an afferent limb and two. The optic nerve then forms the optic chiasm, which diverges into a left and. Relative afferent pupillary defects in homonymous visual. A light stimulating the left retina generates impulses that travel up the left optic nerve and divide at the chiasm.
1214 11 1000 841 43 840 315 154 471 89 1219 128 534 1418 1105 1456 320 1540 557 1365 1138 1215 1002 1421 1026 318 365 1305 174 644 391 1055 549 175 390 595 1323 935 1459 1325 64 120 394 154 682 802 275 547 1086