These windpipe cells trigger coughs to keep water out of the lungs
Experiments in mice show that neuroendocrine cells in the trachea react to water and acid
![This image of a mouse trachea and larynx on a black background reveals a constelletion of small green dots scattered througout it. The green dots are neuroendocrine cells. Areas around the edges of the image that appear pink are part of the nervous system.](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/041824_nb_windpipe-cells_feat.png?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
Neuroendocrine cells (green) are scattered across the trachea and larynx, as imaged in a mouse. A new study reveals how these cells communicate with cells in the nervous system (pink) to help prevent substances such as water or acid from getting into the lungs.
Laura Seeholzer