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Book

Physiology, Gag Reflex

Shruthi Sivakumar  1 , Aparna Prabhu  2
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
.
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Book

Physiology, Gag Reflex

Shruthi Sivakumar et al.
Free Books & Documents

Excerpt

The gag reflex, also known as the pharyngeal reflex, is an involuntary reflex involving bilateral pharyngeal muscle contraction and elevation of the soft palate (see Figure. Gag Reflex). This reflex may be evoked by stimulation of the posterior pharyngeal wall, tonsillar area, or tongue base. The gag reflex is believed to be an evolutionary reflex that developed as a method to prevent swallowing foreign objects and prevent choking. It is essential to evaluate the medullary brainstem, as it plays a role in declaring brain death.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Shruthi Sivakumar declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Aparna Prabhu declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

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