Sneeze Reflex

The sneeze reflex is very much like the cough reflex,

except that it applies to the nasal passageways instead

of the lower respiratory passages. The initiating stimulus

of the sneeze reflex is irritation in the nasal passageways;

the afferent impulses pass in the fifth cranial

nerve to the medulla, where the reflex is triggered. A

series of reactions similar to those for the cough reflex

takes place; however, the uvula is depressed, so that

large amounts of air pass rapidly through the nose, thus

helping to clear the nasal passages of foreign matter.