| rooting reflex | |
noun | |
| reflex consisting of head-turning and sucking movements elicited in a normal infant by gently stroking the side of the mouth or cheek |
rooting reflex root·ing reflex (r&oomacr;'tĭng, r&oobreve;t'ĭng)
n.
A reflex in infants in which rubbing or scratching about the mouth causes the infant to turn its head toward the stimulus.