Is coughing controlled by the spinalcord?

Answer 1

No.  The region in the nervous system that controls coughing is located in the medulla.  This center is effectively inhibited by opioid based cough suppressants (like codeine).  This center receives (afferent) input by certain cranial nerves about dust or other particles in the respiratory tract and sends this afferent information primarily up via branches of the vagus nerve (CNX).  The (efferent) action of the produced cough is produced by the phrenic nerve and cranial nerves.  The phrenic nerve does come off of the spinal cord, levels C3-5, so there is some spinal cord involvement in the cough reflex.  

This question is under the chiropractic segment and there is some debate over whether spinal manipulation can help with some coughing disorders like Asthma.  The results of the literature are inconclusive & spinal manipulation does not appear to be a cure for all types of asthma, although in some cases it does appear to be helpful.  It may be beneficial to seek chiropractic advice for coughing disorders, chiropractic can help with rib pain and dysfunction as well as thoracic spine pain and dysfunction that may result from coughing disorders.  In some cases chiropractic may help with a coughing disorder & this is believed to be mediated by a somatovisceral reflex, probably by correcting a proprioceptive imbalance.  However spinal manipulation will probably only help with a minority of coughing disorders.  

Answer 2

yes