搔扒反射从字面上可以理解为一种搔扒的动作。从实验来说明脊髓亦存在自己的、不受大脑的简易反射。也算是节间反射。

在实验中发现一些动物（主要的实验动物是蛙），它们被破坏或离断了大脑以后，用一些方法刺激这依然存活的动物的背部，比如给予硫酸等，发现这些没有大脑中枢控制的动物仍然能够用自己的后肢去抚、抓它们受刺激的后背。这样便说明了虽然没有大脑的控制，脊髓依然完成了自己的简易反射。

The scratch reflex is a response to activation of sensory neurons whose peripheral terminals are located on the surface of the body. Some sensory neurons can be activated by stimulation with an external object such as a parasite on the body surface. Alternatively, some sensory neurons can respond to a chemical stimulus that produces an itch sensation. During a scratch reflex, a nearby limb reaches toward and rubs against the site on the body surface that has been stimulated. The scratch reflex has been extensively studied to understand the functioning of neural networks in vertebrates. Despite decades of research, key aspects of the scratch reflex are still unknown, such as the neural mechanisms by which the reflex is terminated. This article will focus on the neurological aspects of the reflex.