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This typically clears particles from the bronchi and trachea, the tubes that feed air to lung tissue from the nose and mouth. [1] The larynx (voice box) and carina (at the bottom of the trachea, as it splits into bronchi) are especially sensitive. Cough receptors in the surface cells of the respiratory tract are also sensitive to chemicals.
Pharyngeal reflex — also known as the gag reflex. Photic sneeze reflex — a sneeze caused by sudden exposure to bright light. Plantar reflex — in infants up to 1 year of age, a curling of the toes when something rubs the ball of the foot. Pupillary accommodation reflex — a reduction of pupil size in response to an object coming close to ...
The gag reflex involves a brisk and brief elevation of the soft palate and bilateral contraction of pharyngeal muscles evoked by touching the posterior pharyngeal wall. Touching the soft palate can lead to a similar reflex response. However, in that case, the sensory limb of the reflex is the CN V (trigeminal nerve). In very sensitive ...
A cough is a sudden expulsion of air through the large breathing passages which can help clear them of fluids, irritants, foreign particles and microbes.As a protective reflex, coughing can be repetitive with the cough reflex following three phases: an inhalation, a forced exhalation against a closed glottis, and a violent release of air from the lungs following opening of the glottis, usually ...
The other clearance mechanism is provided by the cough reflex. [2] Mucociliary clearance has a major role in pulmonary hygiene . MCC effectiveness relies on the correct properties of the airway surface liquid produced, both of the periciliary sol layer and the overlying mucus gel layer , and of the number and quality of the cilia present in the ...
Postnasal drip, when excess mucus is produced in the sinus of the nose and drips back towards the throat, causes a cough reflex, also known as upper airway cough syndrome. Postnasal drip coughing can be caused by the direct irritation of the postnasal drip or by inflammation of cough receptors in the upper airway.
The exact location and functionality of the cough center has remained somewhat elusive: while Johannes Peter Müller observed in 1838 that the medulla coordinates the cough reflex, investigating it has been slow because the usual anaesthetics for experimental animals were morphine or opiates, drugs which strongly inhibit cough.
The conducting zone also functions to offer a low resistance pathway for airflow. It provides a major defense role in its filtering abilities. The respiratory zone includes the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli, and is the site of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange with the blood.