Cough reflex

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The cough reflex occurs when stimulation of cough receptors in the

Terminal bronchioles and even the alveoli are sensitive to chemicals such as sulfur dioxide gas or chlorine gas.[1]

Physiology of cough

The cough receptors or rapidly adapting irritant receptors are located mainly on the posterior wall of the

bronchioles. When triggered, impulses travel via the internal laryngeal nerve, a branch of the superior laryngeal nerve which stems from the vagus nerve (CN X) to the medulla of the brain. This is the afferent neural pathway. Unlike other areas responsible for involuntary actions like swallowing, there is no definitive area that has been identified as the cough center
in the brain.

The efferent neural pathway then follows, with relevant signals transmitted back from the cerebral cortex and medulla via the vagus and superior laryngeal nerves to the glottis, external intercostals, diaphragm, and other major inspiratory and expiratory muscles. The mechanism of a cough is as follows:

Stimulation of the auricular branch of the

tracheostomy
, or vocal cord pathology (including paralysis or anesthesia) may prevent effective clearing of the airways.

Dysfunction

The reflex is impaired in the person whose abdominals and respiratory muscles are weak. This problem can be caused by disease conditions that lead to muscle weakness or paralysis, by prolonged inactivity, or as outcome of surgery involving these muscles.[

laryngopharynx
) or by surgical removal of said object.

Testing

The cough reflex can be tested by inhaling air with nebulized 200 μmol/L capsaicin.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4160-4574-8
    .
  2. PMID 37642341
    .
  3. PMID 29197546
    .
  4. PMID 22492938
    .

Further reading
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