Asked by: Lorely Maskell, by email

A branch of the trigeminal nerve extends around the eye and down to the nose. An ordinary sneeze is triggered by sensory signals sent from the nose along the trigeminal nerve. But the pain of plucking can cause a fake sneeze signal in nearby nerve endings.

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Authors

luis villazon
Luis VillazonQ&A expert

Luis trained as a zoologist, but now works as a science and technology educator. In his spare time he builds 3D-printed robots, in the hope that he will be spared when the revolution inevitably comes.

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