AC
Andrew Chapmanalmost 4 years ago
What are the afferent and efferent pathways of the gag reflex?
Other commentsSign in to post comments. You don't have an account? Sign up now!
almost 4 years ago
The gag reflex is the reflex in which on stimulus the back of throat contracts. It is also known as pharyngeal reflex. It is a defense mechanism to save any harmful stimuli to get to pharynx. Posterior pharynx, tonsillar area and base of tongue are involved. The nerve supply has afferent part and an efferent part. When a stimulus comes, it is carried by afferent limb (cranial nerve IX) to nucleus solitaris of ipsilateral side where it synapses at superior ganglion in jugular foramen. These nuclei then send fibers to nucleus ambigus in medulla. Efferent arm traverses through neucleus ambigous in form of cranial nerve X and supplies pharyngeal muscles which cause contraction.
Related posts
Which way does the uvula deviate in a X nerve lesion?Bulbar palsyCoronal displacement of teethNaso Orbital Ethmoid fractureIntermaxillary fixation wiring techniques.Ferrule Effect IIIPlating of mandible fractureIntraoral incision with percutaneous cannulaSurgical Wiring for Mandible Fracture StabilizationUnilateral open bite
