You sneeze primarily through your nose, although some air may also escape through your mouth.
How Sneezing Works
A sneeze is a forceful expulsion of air from your lungs. This involuntary reflex is triggered by irritation in your nasal passages. The process involves several coordinated actions:
- Nerve Signals: Nerve signals from your brain stem initiate the sneeze.
- Soft Palate & Uvula: Your soft palate and uvula (the fleshy part hanging down at the back of your throat) move down slightly.
- Tongue Movement: Your tongue moves upwards to close off the mouth.
- Air Expulsion: The air is expelled forcefully from your lungs, primarily through your nose. [Reference: "Nerve signals from your brain stem direct your mouth's soft palate and uvula to move down a little; then, the tongue comes up to block the mouth so the majority of what you sneeze out will exit through your nose."]
While the mouth is largely blocked, some air may still escape through it, particularly if the sneeze is exceptionally strong. The goal is to expel the irritant from the nasal passages, and this is most effectively achieved through the nose. [Reference: "If the sneeze is supposed to clean out our noses, should we let it out our mouths too? Sure, said Moss. "The goal is to expel the irritant from…"]
Several sources confirm that a sneeze is a burst of air from your lungs that exits both your mouth and nose. [Reference: "Sneezing is a burst of air from your lungs that comes out of your mouth and nose."] However, the majority of the expelled air exits through the nose due to the physiological mechanism described above. Covering both your mouth and nose when sneezing is recommended to prevent the spread of germs. [Reference: "Because sneezes can spread disease through infectious aerosol droplets, it is recommended to cover one's mouth and nose with the forearm, the inside of the…"]
Why Cover Both?
Even though the majority of a sneeze exits through the nose, covering both your mouth and nose is crucial for hygiene. This prevents the spread of germs and respiratory droplets. [Reference: "Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze…"]
