The Babinski toe sign is found in lesion of the pyramidal tract (although dorsiflextion of the big toe may occur spontaneously in extra-pyramidal disease) and is obtained by scratching with a pin upward and inward the outer side of the sole of the foot. If positive, there is fanning plantar flexion of the lesser toes and dorsiflexion (extension) of the big toe. Often in severe lesions there is simultaneous dorsiflexion at the ankle, flexion at the knee and hip, and contraction of the tensor fasciae femoris. The Babinski sign is a pathologic exaggeration of the flexor reflex, namely a defense reflex. It is possible that is a release phenomenon that is when the pyramidal tract is impaired the extra-pyramidal influence causes dorsal extension of the toe. Fulton has shown that the Babinski sign is absent after section of the pyramidal tract in the lower apes, but is elicited in the higher anthropoids. Utilizing the mechanism of the tonic neck reflexes, Walshe showed that the Babinski sign could be accentuated if the head is rotated with the occiput to the paralyzed side, and inhibited if it is turned the other way. The same extension of the toe in pyramidal tract disease may be obtained by various stimulations of the foot and leg, such as:

The Oppenheim maneuver’s (stroking downward the median side of the tibia).

Gordon (Compression of the calf muscle).

Schaefer (Pinching the tendo Achilles) sign.

The Rossolimo sign consists of plantar flexion of the toes on tapping the balls of the toes of flipping the toes upward. We are dealing here (Fulton) with a tendon and not a skin reflex.