REFLEX COUGH Meaning and
Definition
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Reflex cough, also known as a cough reflex, is a sudden expulsive reflex that occurs when the airways are irritated or stimulated. It is an automatic response triggered by the body's protective mechanism to clear the air passages from potential obstructions, foreign particles, or irritants, preventing them from entering the lungs.
The reflex cough is initiated by the cough receptors located in various parts of the respiratory system, such as the throat, larynx, bronchi, and trachea. When these receptors sense an irritant, they send signals to the cough center in the brain, which then coordinates the complex muscle movements involved in generating a cough. These movements primarily involve the contraction of the diaphragm, the main muscle responsible for breathing, as well as the muscles of the chest wall, throat, and abdomen.
The reflex cough is characterized by a forceful, audible expulsion of air from the lungs, which helps in expelling mucus, phlegm, or foreign particles trapped in the respiratory system. It may also be accompanied by a distinctive sound, due to the rapid passage of air through the narrowed airways caused by the irritation or excessive mucus production.
Reflex coughing can be triggered by various factors, including respiratory infections, allergies, asthma, smoking, exposure to pollutants, or even certain medications. However, it is important to note that a persistent or chronic cough may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, and medical attention should be sought if the cough persists for an extended period or is accompanied by additional concerning symptoms.
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A c. excited reflexly by irritation in some distant part, as the ear or the stomach.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for REFLEX COUGH
- eeflex cough
- deflex cough
- feflex cough
- teflex cough
- 5eflex cough
- 4eflex cough
- rwflex cough
- rsflex cough
- rdflex cough
- rrflex cough
- r4flex cough
- r3flex cough
- redlex cough
- reclex cough
- revlex cough
- reglex cough
- retlex cough
- rerlex cough
- refkex cough
- refpex cough
Etymology of REFLEX COUGH
The word "reflex" in "reflex cough" refers to an involuntary or automatic reaction in response to a stimulus. It originated from the Latin word "reflexus", which means "bent back" or "reflected". In terms of human physiology, a reflex is an action that occurs automatically in response to a particular sensory stimulus, without conscious thought.
The term "cough" comes from the Old English word "cohhian", which relates to the act of expelling air from the lungs suddenly and explosively due to irritation or obstruction in the respiratory tract. Over time, this evolved into the Middle English word "coughen" before taking the modern form "cough".
Therefore, "reflex cough" refers to a cough that occurs as an automatic response to a stimulus, typically due to irritation or inflammation in the respiratory system.
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