Which instrument is used to tap body parts to test reflexes?

The instrument utilized to tap body parts for testing reflexes is the percussion hammer. This tool is specifically designed to assess neurological function by striking tendons and muscles, which allows practitioners to observe involuntary responses, indicating the health of the nervous system. When the hammer is used, it creates a controlled percussive force that helps elicit reflex arcs, such as the knee-jerk reflex, which provides valuable information regarding the integrity of the spinal cord and associated nerves.

The other instruments mentioned serve different medical purposes. A thermometer is used for measuring body temperature, a stethoscope is employed to listen to internal bodily sounds like heartbeats and lung sounds, and a sphygmomanometer measures blood pressure. Each tool is distinct and critical in its own right, but none serves the purpose of assessing reflexes like the percussion hammer does.