Some honk, some shout, some just can’t seem to stop — your style of sneezing is one of the many things that makes you who you are. The basic process of sneezing (called sternutation) usually starts when some kind of irritant, from pollen to black pepper, is detected by the trigeminal nerve (it branches throughout the face and head to provide motor control and sensory information). This irritation triggers a sequence of reflexes to expel the intruder: a deep inhalation followed by the closing the glottis in the throat and a buildup of pressure in the lungs (“ah”), then the sudden opening of the glottis as the diaphragm forces air up through the mouth and nose, expelling the irritant (“choo!”). That expulsion has some real power — particles in an average sneeze travel 100 miles per hour, says Dr. Payne.
And the particular style with which you execute this basic process could be something you inherit, Dr. Kao adds. “I’ve empirically noted similar styles of sneezes in families, probably because sneezes are a neurologic reflex we’re all born with,” he says. “Since tissues are very similar within families, all muscle actions, including smiling and laughing, will be similar also.”
Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com/ear-nose-throat-pictures/11-odd-facts-about-your-nose.aspx
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