Reflex sweating in patients with spinal cord injury: a review. 1977

A Fast

Sweat glands derive their innervation from the sympathetic nervous system. The spinal sympathetic structures that are located in the intermediolateral areas extend from T1-L2 segments and are under the control of hypothalamic centers. Cord transection abolishes the supraspinal control of sudorimotor function. Since sympathetic innervation does not follow a clear segmental distribution, normal sweating may be preserved at a higher or lower level than skin sensation. Nonthermoregulatory reflex sweating is an indication of unchecked spinal cord facilitation and is precipitated by afferent stimuli from bladder, rectum, and various other sources. It is usually a manifestation of mass reflex or autonomic crisis and occurs particularly in cervical or high thoracic lesions. Transection below T8-T10 is not accompanied by reflex sweating. The phenomenon of thermal relfex sweating is controversial. Although some aspects of nonthermoregulatory reflex sweating are still unclear, proper immediate and continuing preventive management will reduce the incidence of this and other autonomic manifestations. Chemical sympathectomy should be a last resort in case of emergency or when the source of facilitation cannot be ascertained.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D012021 Reflex, Abnormal An abnormal response to a stimulus applied to the sensory components of the nervous system. This may take the form of increased, decreased, or absent reflexes. Hyperreflexia,Hyporeflexia,Abnormal Deep Tendon Reflex,Abnormal Reflex,Abnormal Reflexes,Bulbocavernosus Reflex, Decreased,Bulbocavernousus Reflex Absent,Hoffman's Reflex,Palmo-Mental Reflex,Reflex, Absent,Reflex, Acoustic, Abnormal,Reflex, Anal, Absent,Reflex, Anal, Decreased,Reflex, Ankle, Abnormal,Reflex, Ankle, Absent,Reflex, Ankle, Decreased,Reflex, Biceps, Abnormal,Reflex, Biceps, Absent,Reflex, Biceps, Decreased,Reflex, Corneal, Absent,Reflex, Corneal, Decreased,Reflex, Decreased,Reflex, Deep Tendon, Abnormal,Reflex, Deep Tendon, Absent,Reflex, Gag, Absent,Reflex, Gag, Decreased,Reflex, Knee, Abnormal,Reflex, Knee, Decreased,Reflex, Moro, Asymmetric,Reflex, Pendular,Reflex, Triceps, Abnormal,Reflex, Triceps, Absent,Reflex, Triceps, Decreased,Reflexes, Abnormal,Absent Reflex,Decreased Bulbocavernosus Reflex,Decreased Reflex,Palmo Mental Reflex,Pendular Reflex,Reflex Absent, Bulbocavernousus,Reflex, Decreased Bulbocavernosus,Reflex, Hoffman's,Reflex, Palmo-Mental
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006945 Hyperhidrosis Excessive sweating. In the localized type, the most frequent sites are the palms, soles, axillae, inguinal folds, and the perineal area. Its chief cause is thought to be emotional. Generalized hyperhidrosis may be induced by a hot, humid environment, by fever, or by vigorous exercise. Hyperidrosis
D001341 Autonomic Nervous System The ENTERIC NERVOUS SYSTEM; PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM; and SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM taken together. Generally speaking, the autonomic nervous system regulates the internal environment during both peaceful activity and physical or emotional stress. Autonomic activity is controlled and integrated by the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, especially the HYPOTHALAMUS and the SOLITARY NUCLEUS, which receive information relayed from VISCERAL AFFERENTS. Vegetative Nervous System,Visceral Nervous System,Autonomic Nervous Systems,Nervous System, Autonomic,Nervous System, Vegetative,Nervous System, Visceral,Nervous Systems, Autonomic,Nervous Systems, Vegetative,Nervous Systems, Visceral,System, Autonomic Nervous,System, Vegetative Nervous,System, Visceral Nervous,Systems, Autonomic Nervous,Systems, Vegetative Nervous,Systems, Visceral Nervous,Vegetative Nervous Systems,Visceral Nervous Systems
D013119 Spinal Cord Injuries Penetrating and non-penetrating injuries to the spinal cord resulting from traumatic external forces (e.g., WOUNDS, GUNSHOT; WHIPLASH INJURIES; etc.). Myelopathy, Traumatic,Injuries, Spinal Cord,Post-Traumatic Myelopathy,Spinal Cord Contusion,Spinal Cord Laceration,Spinal Cord Transection,Spinal Cord Trauma,Contusion, Spinal Cord,Contusions, Spinal Cord,Cord Contusion, Spinal,Cord Contusions, Spinal,Cord Injuries, Spinal,Cord Injury, Spinal,Cord Laceration, Spinal,Cord Lacerations, Spinal,Cord Transection, Spinal,Cord Transections, Spinal,Cord Trauma, Spinal,Cord Traumas, Spinal,Injury, Spinal Cord,Laceration, Spinal Cord,Lacerations, Spinal Cord,Myelopathies, Post-Traumatic,Myelopathies, Traumatic,Myelopathy, Post-Traumatic,Post Traumatic Myelopathy,Post-Traumatic Myelopathies,Spinal Cord Contusions,Spinal Cord Injury,Spinal Cord Lacerations,Spinal Cord Transections,Spinal Cord Traumas,Transection, Spinal Cord,Transections, Spinal Cord,Trauma, Spinal Cord,Traumas, Spinal Cord,Traumatic Myelopathies,Traumatic Myelopathy
D013545 Sweat Glands Sweat-producing structures that are embedded in the DERMIS. Each gland consists of a single tube, a coiled body, and a superficial duct. Gland, Sweat,Glands, Sweat,Sweat Gland

Related Publications

A Fast
July 1989, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation,
A Fast
January 2009, Revista brasileira de anestesiologia,
A Fast
August 1988, Clinical orthopaedics and related research,
A Fast
December 2004, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation,
A Fast
September 2014, Neuroscience letters,
A Fast
November 2020, The journal of spinal cord medicine,
Copied contents to your clipboard!