Noun: rooting reflex
- Reflex consisting of head-turning and sucking movements elicited in a normal infant by gently stroking the side of the mouth or cheek
"The newborn demonstrated a strong rooting reflex when touched near the mouth"
Derived forms: rooting reflexes
Type of: inborn reflex, innate reflex, instinctive reflex, physiological reaction, reflex, reflex action, reflex response, unconditioned reflex
Encyclopedia: Rooting reflex