{Reference Type}: Comparative Study
{Title}: Anatomy and neurophysiology of the cough reflex: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.
{Author}: Canning BJ;
{Journal}: Chest
{Volume}: 129
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: Jan 2006
{Factor}: 10.262
{DOI}: 10.1378/chest.129.1_suppl.33S
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To describe the anatomy and neurophysiology of the cough reflex.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A review of the literature was carried out using PubMed and the ISI Web of Knowledge from 1951 to 2004. Most of the referenced studies were carried out in animals<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Studies carried out in animals provide suggestive but inconclusive evidence that C-fibers and rapidly adapting receptors (RARs) arising from the vagus nerves mediate coughing. Recent studies also have suggested that a vagal afferent nerve subtype that is not readily classified as a RAR or a C-fiber may play an important role in regulating cough. Afferent nerves innervating other viscera, as well as somatosensory nerves innervating the chest wall, diaphragm, and abdominal musculature also likely play a less essential but important accessory role in regulating cough. The responsiveness and morphology of the airway vagal afferent nerve subtypes and the extrapulmonary afferent nerves that regulate coughing are described.