A member asked:

Why might someone involuntarily gag when they touch their external ear canal?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Larry Marcus answered

Specializes in ENT and Head and Neck Surgery

Normal: This is a normal reflex that may cause a person to cough when the inside of their ear canal is touched. There is a nerve called Jacob's nerve that is a nerve of sensation to both the ear canal and base of tongue/throat - the referred sensation is strong enough to create a cough reflex.

Answered 2/19/2015

3.3k views

Thank

Related Questions