sternutatory

Sternutatory refers to a substance that induces sneezing. Sneezing, also known as sternutation, is a powerful, involuntary reflex expulsion of air from the nose and mouth, typically triggered by irritants in the nasal mucosa. Sternutatories work by irritating the sensitive mucous membranes of the nose, causing a rapid inhalation followed by a forceful exhalation. This reflex serves to clear the nasal passages of foreign particles, allergens, or irritants.

Common examples of sternutatories include dust, pepper, pollen, and certain chemical fumes. Historically, some sternutatory substances have been employed as weapons, known as "sternutator agents" or "lachrymators," designed to incapacitate or disorient individuals by causing uncontrollable sneezing and tearing. These agents typically work by irritating the eyes and respiratory tract simultaneously. In modern times, the use of sternutatories as chemical weapons is prohibited under international conventions, such as the Chemical Weapons Convention. In a more benign context, certain pepper-based sprays used for self-defense can also act as sternutatories, incapacitating an attacker through intense nasal irritation and sneezing. The physiological mechanism involves the stimulation of sensory nerve endings in the nasal cavity, which then send signals to the brain's sneeze center, initiating the reflex.