In turn, these nuclei send fibers to the nucleus ambiguus, a motor nucleus in the rostral medulla. These sensations are carried by CN IX, which acts as the afferent limb of the reflex to the ipsilateral nucleus solitarius (also referred to as the gustatory nucleus) after synapsing at the superior ganglion located in the jugular foramen. The stimulus is provided by sensation to the posterior pharyngeal wall, the tonsillar pillars, or the base of the tongue. The nerve roots of cranial nerves IX and X exit the medulla through the jugular foramen and descend on either side of the pharynx to innervate the posterior pharynx, posterior one-third of the tongue, soft palate, and the stylopharyngeus muscle. The gag reflex is controlled by both the glossopharyngeal (CN IX) and vagus (CN X) nerves, which serve as the afferent (sensory) and the efferent (motor) limbs for the reflex arc, respectively. In cases of psychogenic gag reflexes, even the thought of touching a sensitive trigger area, such as occurs when going to the dentist, can induce gagging. A psychogenic gag reflex presents following a mental trigger, typically without direct physical contact. A somatogenic gag reflex follows direct physical contact with a trigger area, which may include the base of the tongue, posterior pharyngeal wall, or tonsillar area. The gag reflex can be classified as either somatogenic or psychogenic. Starting around six or seven months of age, the gag reflex diminishes, allowing infants to swallow more solid foods. In the first few months of life, the gag reflex is triggered by any food that the nucleus tractus solitarius (a region of the brain stem) deems too large or solid for a baby to digest. The gag reflex is a natural somatic response in which the body attempts to eliminate unwanted agents or foreign objects from the oral cavity through muscle contraction at the base of the tongue and the pharyngeal wall. Embryologically, the glossopharyngeal nerve is associated with the derivatives of the third pharyngeal arch, while the vagus nerve is associated with the derivatives of the fourth and sixth pharyngeal arches. The gag reflex is mediated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) and the vagus nerve (CN X). Contrast this with a hypersensitive gag reflex (HGR), which may be caused by anxiety, postnatal drip, acid reflux, or oral stimulation, such as during dental treatments. In certain instances, a lack of a gag reflex may be a symptom of a more severe medical condition, such as cranial nerve damage or brain death. It is an essential component of evaluating the medullary brainstem and plays a role in the declaration of brain death. The gag reflex is believed to be an evolutionary reflex that developed as a method to prevent swallowing foreign objects and prevent choking. How to STOP Back Pain….The gag reflex, also known as the pharyngeal reflex, is an involuntary reflex involving bilateral pharyngeal muscle contraction and elevation of the soft palate. This reflex may be evoked by stimulation of the posterior pharyngeal wall, tonsillar area, or base of the tongue. Introducing: The Posture Decompression System – Part 2 of 2Ĥ Steps to Eliminating Lower Back and Leg Pain Introducing: The Posture Decompression System – Part 1 of 2 Pietrek, click the contact button at the top of our page.īack Pain My back went out on me. If you’d like to set up a time to consult with Dr. Upper cervical chiropractic (NUCCA) helps improve health and function by freeing up the nerve flow that can be restricted as a result of a misalignment of the tiny vertebra at the top of the spine known as the atlas or C1 vertebra.Īt our our clinic, we specialize in the detection and correction of this small (yet large!) problem in the human condition. When the brainstem doesn’t fire or function properly and there is a lacking or absent gag flex or deficient immune system, studies show that oftentimes this is due to improper nerve signal firing at the level of the brainstem. On another branch of the tree, a separate communication line goes to a relay station in the brainstem that controls most of our immune system. The brainstem sends the nerve signals to the muscles of the soft palate, larynx and pharynx, tongue, and swallowing & airway functions. Not the kind you may get from watching a despicable act play out on TV in the form of unsportsmanlike conduct, but the kind you SHOULD get when the medical doctor sticks a tongue depressor on the back of your tongue.Ī healthy gag reflex not only means you’re less likely to choke (survival value), but it also could mean that you have a strong immune system.īrainstem nerve cell bodies are what these two things have in common.
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