March 28, 2024
Physiology

Mechanism of Cough and Sneeze

  • April 5, 2011
  • 2 min read
  • 6867 Views
Mechanism of Cough and Sneeze

Receptors

Extrathoracic: nose, oropharynx, larynx, upper trachea
Intrathoracic: rapidly adapting irritant receptors in epithelium of lower trachea and large central bronchi
Other locations: tympanic membrane, diaphragm, stomach

Cough Reflex:

Cough is an expulsive reflex that protects the lungs and respiratory passage from foreign bodies.

Causes of cough:

  • Irritants-smokes, fumes, dusts, etc.
  • Diseased conditions like COPD, tumors of thorax, etc.
  • Pressure on respiratory tracts
  • Infections

Components of cough reflex:

  1. Cough receptors
  2. Afferent nerves
  3. Cough center
  4. Efferent nerves
  5. Effector muscles

Mechansim of cough reflex:

  1. Deep inspiration, closed glottis
  2. Increased intrapleural pressure then glottis opens suddenly with outflow of air at high velocity
  3. Leads to the expulsion of irritants from mouth only

Pathway for cough reflex:

  1. Receptors in nose, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, trachea, pleura, diaphragm, perichondrium, stomach, ex.auditory canal and tymphanic membrane
  2. Stimulus pass via V,IX,X cranial nerves and phrenic nerves. And reach to
  3. Cough centre in medulla
  4. Efferent nerves from medullary centre, X cranial nerve, phrenic nerve, spinal motor nerve
  5. Activation of primary and accessory respiratory muscles

Sneeze Reflex:

Sneeze is defined as the involuntary expulsion of air containing irritants from nose.

Causes of sneeze:

  • Irritation of nasal mucosa
  • Excess fluid in airway

Components of sneeze reflex:

  1. Sneeze receptor
  2. Afferent nerve
  3. Sneeze center
  4. Efferent nerve
  5. Effector muscle

Mechanism for sneeze:

  1. Deep inspiration
  2. Opened glottis
  3. Expulsion of irritants from both nose and mouth

Pathway for sneeze reflex:

  1. Irritation of nasal mucosa
  2. Olfactory receptors or V cranial nerve endings
  3. Stimulus pass via I and V cranial nerve and reach to
  4. Sneeze centre in medulla – present in nucleus solitarious and reticular formation
  5. Efferent nerves from V, VII, IX, X cranial nerves and intercostal muscles
  6. Activation of pharyngeal, tracheal and respiratory muscles

Summary (Differences between coughing and sneezing):

Sneezing is stimulated by irritation of nasal mucosa. The impulses travel via the trigeminal nerve. Cough occurs due to the irritation of receptors in tracheobronchial tree. Impulses travel up via glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves.

In sneezing the air is trapped by shutting off its exit passages through the nasophaynx and the oral cavity. In coughing the air is trapped behind the closed glottis by contraction of the laryngeal adductor muscles.

In sneezing the air is released by opening the nasopharynx. In coughing, the air is released by opening the glottis.

Sneezing always occurs reflexly but coughing can be performed voluntarily also.

Prepared and presented by:

  1. Sulav Kumar Shrestha (80)
  2. Surakshya Rayamajhi (81)
  3. Surendra Pariyar (82)
About Author

Sulabh Shrestha

Intern doctor and Medical Blogger Sulabh Shrestha

1 Comment

  • We know that water is vital to our health. Drinking water has significant effect in the healing process when a person is sick and it is also helpful to cure the sickness that causes the sneezing and coughing.

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