Why does midline crossing evolve in the first place?: the significance of ATNR
Midline crossing is a complex functional approach directed towards reaching the opposite side of body. Midline crossing refers to any motor action that results in looking, reaching, or stepping across the body's midline. The evolution of this motor activity is aimed to integrate the left and right sides of body and brain, as explained in previous blog. Why does midline even exist?
Midline crossing is a complex functional approach directed towards reaching the opposite side of body. Midline crossing refers to any motor action that results in looking, reaching, or stepping across the body's midline. The evolution of this motor activity is aimed to integrate the left and right sides of body and brain, as explained in previous blog. Why does midline even exist?
Apart from being an important developmental milestone midline crossing is essentially laid down as a developmental skill succeeding the integration of a primitive reflex- ATNR.
ATNR (Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex) is a primitive reflex that emerges at 18th week of intra-uterine life. This reflex helps in intra-uterine development of muscle tone and vestibular system and helps the baby during birthing process by inhibiting limb movements while the baby turns in the birth canal during delivery. This reflex can be identified within the first 3 months of life. And after birth, it ensures head tilting to the side while the baby lies on their stomach to keep their airways clear, and is the first step toward developing hand-eye-coordination.
ATNR (Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex) is a primitive reflex that emerges at 18th week of intra-uterine life. This reflex helps in intra-uterine development of muscle tone and vestibular system and helps the baby during birthing process by inhibiting limb movements while the baby turns in the birth canal during delivery. This reflex can be identified within the first 3 months of life. And after birth, it ensures head tilting to the side while the baby lies on their stomach to keep their airways clear, and is the first step toward developing hand-eye-coordination.
The reflex is initiated when the head is turned to the left
or the right whilst the baby lies on its back. The turning of the head causes
the arm and the leg on one side to extend, whilst the limbs on the opposite
side flex. For example, if the head turns to the right, the right arm and leg
will automatically extend whilst the left arm and leg both flex.
The ATNR is integrated at the age of 6 months and
replaced by complex functional movements by which the baby
begins to reach within the mid line of their body.
If due to any cause (which are extensive ranging from birth problems
to delayed brain development) the reflex is retained it
will continue to influence limb movement every time the head is turned and will
have influences on physical movements. A
retained ATNR will affect the functional reaching abilities and the baby finds
it difficult for hands, feet and eyes to cross the mid line. Retained ATNR interferes
with a baby's ability to centralize and reach things within the
midline of body and prevents the baby from developing crossing pattern
movements such as rolling over, crawling and later marching using
alternative leg and arm.
The most
distinct sign of a retained ATNR is the inability to cross the midline.
The retained ATNR may also present with:
More in the series... ..How does midline evolve?.... .Coming next Friday.....
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