Table of Contents
Why does gag reflex make you throw up?
The pharynx is the passageway from the mouth and nose into the esophagus (food pipe), the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. In some cases, a person may gag extremely hard. When this occurs, it can cause stomach spasms, leading to a feeling of nausea or resulting in a person vomiting.
What is the mechanism of gag reflex?
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.
What structure triggers the gag reflex?
Definition. The gag reflex is a reflex contraction of the back of the throat, elicited by touching the posterior pharyngeal wall, tonsillar area, or the base of the tongue. Stimulation results in a visible contraction of the pharyngeal wall.
What type of reflex classification is the gag reflex?
somatic reflexes
Reflexes classified as somatic reflexes include calcaneal tendon , corneal , gag , patellar , and plantar .
Which reflexes are autonomic responses?
The ANS affects heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, salivation, perspiration, pupillary dilation, micturition (urination), and sexual arousal. Most autonomic functions are involuntary but a number of ANS actions can work alongside some degree of conscious control.
Which cranial nerves would the nurse assess when eliciting a patient’s gag reflex?
Expected Versus Unexpected Findings
| Cranial Nerve | Expected Finding |
|---|---|
| IX. Glossopharyngeal | Gag reflex is present. |
| X. Vagus | Patient swallows and speaks without difficulty. |
| XI. Spinal Accessory | Patient shrugs shoulders and turns head side to side against resistance. |
What are two differences between somatic and autonomic reflexes?
Somatic responses are solely based on skeletal muscle contraction. The autonomic system, however, targets cardiac and smooth muscle, as well as glandular tissue. Whereas the basic circuit is a reflex arc, there are differences in the structure of those reflexes for the somatic and autonomic systems.
What happens when you don’t have a gag reflex?
In certain cases, absence of the gag reflex and pharyngeal sensation can be a symptom of a number of severe medical conditions, such as damage to the glossopharyngeal nerve, the vagus nerve, or brain death.
What happens if vagus nerve is damaged?
The vagal nerves carry signals between your brain, heart and digestive system. They’re a key part of your parasympathetic nervous system. Vagus nerve damage can lead to gastroparesis, food not moving into your intestines. Some people with vasovagal syncope faint from low blood pressure.