Polverino, MarioFasolino, MarcoAndò, FilippoAlfieri, AntonioDe Blasio, FrancescoPolverino, Francesca2013-03-262012Polverino, Mario, Francesca Polverino, Marco Fasolino, Filippo Andò, Antonio Alfieri, and Francesco De Blasio. 2012. Anatomy and neuro-pathophysiology of the cough reflex arc. Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine 7(1): 5.1828-695Xhttp://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:10468020Coughing is an important defensive reflex that occurs through the stimulation of a complex reflex arc. It accounts for a significant number of consultations both at the level of general practitioner and of respiratory specialists. In this review we first analyze the cough reflex under normal conditions; then we analyze the anatomy and the neuro-pathophysiology of the cough reflex arc. The aim of this review is to provide the anatomic and pathophysiologic elements of evaluation of the complex and multiple etiologies of cough.en-USJournal Article2013-03-2610.1186/2049-6958-7-5