Open AccessAnatomy and neuro-pathophysiology of the cough reflex arc
Author(s) -
Mario Polverino,
Francesca Polverino,
Marco Fasolino,
Filippo Andò,
Antonio Alfieri,
Francesco De Blasio
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
multidisciplinary respiratory medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.72
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 2049-6958
pISSN - 1828-695X
DOI - 10.4081/mrm.2012.592
Subject(s) - cough reflex , reflex , pathophysiology , medicine , reflex arc , etiology , arc (geometry) , neuroscience , anesthesia , pathology , psychology , geometry , mathematics
Coughing is an important defensive reflex that occurs through the stimulation of a complex reflex arc. It accounts for a significant number of consultations both at the level of general practitioner and of respiratory specialists. In this review we first analyze the cough reflex under normal conditions; then we analyze the anatomy and the neuro-pathophysiology of the cough reflex arc. The aim of this review is to provide the anatomic and pathophysiologic elements of evaluation of the complex and multiple etiologies of cough.