Sneezing reflex

The sneezing reflex is a protective reflex that is mediated by free nerve endings of the trigeminal nerve (NV). These react to (mostly only) chemical stimuli in the mucous membranes and pass the signals to the spinal cord part of the trigeminal nucleus (also partly to the nucleus tractus solitarii , the nucleus for the mucous membrane and taste afferents ) and then on to the anterior cord .

A special form of the sneeze reflex that occurs when exposed to strong light is called the photic sneeze reflex .

See also: sneezing