Cough reflex
Cough reflex (pronunciation: /kɒf/ /ˈriːfleks/) is a protective reflex in the body that helps to clear the airways of mucus, irritants, and foreign particles.
Etymology
The term "cough" comes from the Old English cohhian, which means "to cough". The term "reflex" is derived from the Latin reflexus, meaning "bent back, turned back".
Definition
The cough reflex is a complex, involuntary action that helps to protect the lungs from foreign substances and clear the airways. It involves a series of events: the inhalation of air, the closure of the glottis, the contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, and the forceful expulsion of air from the lungs.
Mechanism
The cough reflex is initiated by irritation of the sensory receptors in the airways. These receptors send signals to the brain, which then sends signals to the muscles involved in coughing. The process involves the nervous system and the respiratory system.
Related Terms
- Bronchitis: Inflammation of the bronchial tubes, often causing a persistent cough.
- Pneumonia: An infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid causing a cough.
- Asthma: A condition in which a person's airways become inflamed, narrow and swell, and produce extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe and often leads to coughing.
- Pertussis: Also known as whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory tract infection that causes a severe hacking cough followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like "whoop".
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cough reflex
- Wikipedia's article - Cough reflex
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