Peripheral cough receptor (singular preferred; for highest specificity, could specify "Specialized nodose Aδ-fiber cough receptor" or "Respiratory tract sensory neuron cough receptor")

Peripheral cough receptors refer to heterogeneous populations of sensory neuron terminals innervating the airway mucosa, primarily derived from vagal sensory ganglia (jugular and nodose), functioning as detectors of chemical, mechanical, and thermal stimuli. These include chemosensitive C-fibers and specialized Aδ-fibers, and their peripheral activation via molecular channels (TRPV1, TRPA1, TRPV4, P2X3) triggers action potentials that are relayed centrally to initiate the cough reflex. The cough receptor concept encompasses not a single entity but a network of sensory pathways and molecular targets, with implications for disease and as targets for developing antitussive drugs[1][2][3][4][5][6].

Other names

cough receptorairway cough sensorairway sensory nerve terminalvagal sensory fibernodose Aδ-fiber cough receptorC-fiber cough receptor

Inhibition of ion channel activity (TRPV1, TRPA1, P2X3) Blockade of sensory neuron activation Suppression of neuropeptide-mediated inflammation[4] Modulation of central cough reflex pathways (for anticholinergics or neurokinin 1 antagonists[3][4])