Ask the subject to open his mouth widely and then touch the mucous membrane covering the palate using a spatula. This produces reflex contraction of the palatal muscles which results in sudden elevation of the palate.
- Receptors : Touch receptors of the palatal mucosa
- Afferent limb : Glossopharyngeal nerve and Trigeminal nerve
- Centre : Vagus nucleus in the medulla
- Efferent limb : Vagusnerve
- Effector : Palatal muscle
