title: Neurophysiology and Clinical Implications of the Laryngeal Adductor Reflex.
abstract: The laryngeal adductor reflex (LAR) is an involuntary protective response to stimuli in the larynx. The superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) acts as the afferent limb and the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) as the efferent limb of this reflex, which is modulated by the central nervous system. Perhaps the most clinically significant application of the LAR is its use in laryngopharyngeal (LP) sensory discrimination testing. Importantly, aberrations in the LAR may predict dysphagia or portend clinical phenotypes of chronic cough, vocal cord dysfunction or pediatric apneas. LP sensation is a potential target for interventions addressing the aforementioned conditions though currently remains an area of active investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, PCD1017, Tampa, FL 33620, , , amanda.domer.slp@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Amanda S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Domer
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of California, Davis, 2521 Stockton Blvd, Suite 6201, Sacramento, CA 95817, , , maggie.kuhn@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu.
authors.forename: Maggie A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of California, Davis, 2521 Stockton Blvd, Suite 7200, Sacramento, CA 95817, , , peter.belafsky@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu.
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Belafsky
keywords: LAR; glottic closure reflex; laryngeal sensory testing; laryngopharyngeal sensation; superior laryngeal nerve