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. 2012 Jun 18;7(1):5.
doi: 10.1186/2049-6958-7-5.

Anatomy and neuro-pathophysiology of the cough reflex arc

Mario Polverino  1 , Francesca Polverino, Marco Fasolino, Filippo Andò, Antonio Alfieri, Francesco De Blasio
Affiliations

Anatomy and neuro-pathophysiology of the cough reflex arc

Mario Polverino et al. Multidiscip Respir Med. .

Abstract

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.

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