Test Your Knowledge

A sneeze is a reflex which causes a sudden, forceful burst of air through the nose and mouth. Sneezing is an involuntary response to many different physical stimuli or conditions.

The medical term for sneezing is sternutation. It is a way for the body to get rid of something irritating in the upper respiratory tract. It is a normal process and not usually a cause for concern. Many animals sneeze, including dogs and cats –  although, unlike humans, animals sneeze only through the nose and not the mouth.  

Sneezing is actually a complex physical process that involves the brain, nose, mouth and chest. It is a way for the body to get rid of a foreign object, such as particles of dirt stirred up in a cloud from a passing car. Other reasons to sneeze include exposure to bright light, which is a poorly understood reflex that appears to be an inherited trait. Individuals with this condition are called photic sneezers. Sneezing is also a symptom of allergies, colds, flu and many serious diseases.

The sneeze process begins when the nose encounters certain types of physical stimuli (e.g., dust, smoke, light). This stimulus informs a part of the brain called the sneeze center that something must be expelled from the nose and nasal cavity. The brain then sends a message to several different muscle groups. These muscles must all contract in the correct order for a sneeze to take place. The muscles and their order of contraction include:

• Abdominal muscles
• Chest muscles
• Diaphragm (large muscles beneath the lungs)
• Vocal cord muscles
• Muscles in the back of the throat
• Muscles in the eyelids (the eyes involuntarily close during a sneeze)

Sneezing may be more of a concern if accompanied by other symptoms. Hives, breathing difficulties, wheezing, shortness of breath and itchy eyes that occur with sneezing may be indicative of a medical condition that requires investigation. Patients are encouraged to discuss these symptoms with a physician.