Which reflex is primarily responsible for expelling material from the airway?

The cough reflex is primarily responsible for expelling material from the airway. This protective mechanism is crucial for maintaining clear air passages and preventing foreign substances, such as food, liquid, or other irritants, from entering the lungs. When the airway is stimulated—often by the presence of an irritation or obstruction—the cough reflex initiates a forceful expulsion of air from the lungs, effectively dislodging and clearing the obstruction.

While the gag reflex plays a role in preventing unwanted material from entering the throat and esophagus, it does not specifically target the airway in the same manner as the cough reflex. The rooting reflex is associated with feeding and involves an infant's tendency to turn their head toward a stimulus on their cheek, which aids in breastfeeding, but does not serve the purpose of airway clearance. The swallowing reflex, while vital for safely moving food and liquids from the mouth to the esophagus, primarily facilitates digestion rather than airway protection. Therefore, the cough reflex is distinctly positioned as the primary defense mechanism against airway obstructions.