Atropine Paradox

The atropine paradox is a phenomenon in which the injection of atropine into a denervated parotid gland causes excessive salivation, a paradoxical and unexpected result. This phenomenon was first described in 1883 by the German physiologist Carl Ludwig.

The atropine paradox is due to the fact that atropine is an anticholinergic drug that blocks acetylcholine receptors in the body. It is used in medicine to treat various diseases associated with disorders of the nervous system. However, when atropine is injected into the parotid gland, it is denervated, that is, the nerve endings that are responsible for the secretion of saliva are removed.

However, when atropine is administered, an unexpected thing occurs - copious secretion of saliva from the parotid gland. This effect is explained by the fact that atropine, by blocking acetylcholine receptors, also blocks other receptors responsible for salivary secretion. As a result, the parotid gland begins to secrete a large amount of saliva, which can be very copious.

This atropine paradox effect is used in some medical procedures, such as cleaning plaque from teeth. However, this may cause discomfort for the patient, as excessive saliva production can lead to it getting into the mouth and throat.

Overall, the atropine paradox is an interesting phenomenon that shows how the body's functioning can be altered by the administration of certain drugs. However, its use in medicine must be careful and controlled to avoid undesirable consequences for patients.

The atropine paradox is a phenomenon where, even after the nerves from the parotid glands are removed, they continue to secrete large amounts of saliva in response to the administration of atropine sulfate, an anticholinergic drug. This property of abnormal activity of the salivary glands during the atropine paradox leads to the fact that in some cases the facial tissues are displaced, and some tumors of the salivary glands can