Normal retching reaction, which may be produced by touching the soft palate at the back of the mouth; also called pharyngeal reflex.
Response by the throat that causes retching.
This is the automatic response of trying to take a deep breath or choking when something is introduced into the back of the mouth and throat. It is the way we protect ourselves from inhaling food or other unwanted material into the lungs. The first part of assessing an accident victim or one unconscious for another reason is to check that their airway is open that is, that from mouth to lungs there is no obstruction. The reason for doing this is that they may have lost their gag reflex so cannot clear their own airway by coughing or gagging. Any false teeth, vomitus and foreign bodies should be removed, and the response to stimulating the back of the throat with the examiner’s finger checked. If the gag reflex is absent or impaired, an endotracheal tube should be inserted.
A typical reflex action characterized by the upward movement of the palate, backward movement of the tongue, and the contraction of muscles in the throat.
The gag reflex is an involuntary response initiated by the autonomic nervous system when triggered by a specific stimulus, such as a foreign object touching the back of the throat. This reflex serves to safeguard the airway from potential blockage caused by foreign debris. However, if a person becomes unconscious, the gag reflex may diminish, putting them at risk of choking since the protective response is no longer active.