Hoffmann's sign; Hoffmann's test

Procedure

• Hoffmann's test involves flicking the terminal phalanx of the 3rd finger
• if the terminal phalanx of the thumb flexes into the palm, the test is positive

Interpretation

• a positive Hoffmann's sign indicates pathology in the corticospinal tract, usually in the cervical spine
• test is analagous to Babinski sign for the lower extremities

More general terms

• sign/symptom