title: Anatomy and neuro-pathophysiology of the cough reflex arc.
abstract: Coughing is an important defensive reflex that occurs through the stimulation of a complex reflex arc. It accounts for a significant number of consultations both at the level of general practitioner and of respiratory specialists. In this review we first analyze the cough reflex under normal conditions; then we analyze the anatomy and the neuro-pathophysiology of the cough reflex arc. The aim of this review is to provide the anatomic and pathophysiologic elements of evaluation of the complex and multiple etiologies of cough.
authors.affiliation: Lung Diseases Institute, Medical Sciences Department, ASL Salerno, Viale S, Francesco, Nocera Inferiore (Salerno), Italy. mpolverino@qubisoft.it.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Polverino
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Polverino
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fasolino
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Andò
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alfieri
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Blasio