The test in which the patient closes eyes and you move the big toe to indicate direction assesses which sensation?

• A. Pain sensation in the big toe
• B. Vibration of the big toe
• C. Proprioception of the big toe
• D. Light touch sensation in the big toe

Answer: (C)

Proprioception, the sense of limb position and movement, is what this test evaluates. With the eyes closed, visual input is removed, so the brain must rely on internal feedback from muscles and joints to know where the big toe is and which way it’s moved. Indicating the direction requires intact proprioceptive pathways and receptors in the toe and its associated nerves, so this test specifically assesses position sense. This is distinct from vibration sense (tested with a tuning fork), pain sensation (pinprick), or light touch (filaments or brushing).