News Neuroscience

These windpipe cells trigger coughs to keep water out of the lungs

Experiments in mice show that neuroendocrine cells in the trachea react to water and acid

This image of a mouse trachea and larynx on a black background reveals a constelletion of small green dots scattered througout it. The green dots are neuroendocrine cells. Areas around the edges of the image that appear pink are part of the nervous system.

Neuroendocrine cells (green) are scattered across the trachea and larynx, as imaged in a mouse. A new study reveals how these cells communicate with cells in the nervous system (pink) to help prevent substances such as water or acid from getting into the lungs.

Laura Seeholzer

By Nora Bradford

Have you ever taken a gulp of water that goes down the wrong way? Or felt acid reflux bubbling up? It feels like your windpipe seizes up and you quickly emit a cough or maybe three.