Snout reflex

The Snout reflex is a pouting or pursing of the lips that is elicited by light tapping of the closed lips near the midline. The contraction of the muscles causes the mouth to resemble a snout.

This reflex is tested in a neurological exam and if present, is a sign of brain damage. Along with the "suck" and palmomental reflexes, snout is considered a frontal release sign. These reflexes are normally inhibited by frontal lobe activity in the brain, but can be "released" from inhibition if the frontal lobes are damaged. They are normally present in infancy, however, and up until about one year of age, leading to the hypothesis that they are primitive or archaic reflexes.