Cough is a protective mechanism to protect the airways from harmful irritants.

The reflex arc in a cough reflex include the following components: Cough receptors: They are located in different parts of the respiratory system, diaphragm and even in certain areas of the gastrointestinal system When they are exposed to irritating substances, they are stimulated Afferent pathway Impulses are transmitted along the glossopharyngeal nerves to the cough center Cough center It is located in the medulla It receives impulses from the cough receptors and initiates cough Efferent pathway Nerves carry efferent impulses to the abdominal muscles, intercostal muscles, diaphragm, glottis and vocal cords Sequence of events in cough There is an initial deep inspiration Then the glottis and vocal cord closes The diaphragm relaxes The abdominal muscles and intercostal muscles contract The pressure within the lungs builds up upto 100mm of Hg The glottis and vocal cords open resulting in a rapid release of air under pressure speeds of upto 100 miles/hour The sound produced is due to the turbulent flow It helps to remove any irritant substances from the respiratory system