2 - Pathophysiology of Pain Flashcards
what are nocioceptors?
high-threshold sensory neurons of PNS that transduce a range of noxious stilui
noxious stimuli
harmful, poisonous or very unpleasant stimuli
the receptors on nocioceptors can have what type of receptors on them?
receptors sensitive to:
* mechanical stimuli
* thermal stimuli
* chemical stimuli
capsaicin and menthol activate what type of nocioceptor receptor?
TRPs - transient receptor potential channels
what are the 6 basic steps of pain processing?
- detection of painful stimulus
- transduction - nocioceptor activation
- conduction - action potentials
- transmission
- modulation
- perception
draw a diagram representing the ascending pain pathway
where do pain pathways cross the midline?
spinal cord - enter the spinothalmic tract
where do proprioceptive pathways cross the midline?
medulla
list these sensory neurons from largest to smallest, and state whether they are myelinated or not:
* A delta
* C
* A alpha and A beta
- A alpha and A beta - myelinated
- A delta - thinly myelinated
- C - not myelinated
how does size of sensory neuron correlate to nerve conduction velocity?
the larger the neuron, the faster the nerve conduction
what is the spinal cord grey matter organised into?
rexed laminae
describe the laminar organisation of the spinal cord
as you move from dorsal to ventral, there is an increased size and spacing of neurons
what are the 4 types of pain?
- nociceptive
- inflammatory
- neuropathic
- nociplastic
what is the difference between nociceptive, neuropathic and nociplastic pain?
nociceptive - actual or threatened damage to non-neural tissues
neuropathic - injury or disease of nervous system
nociplastic - changes in the pain system/altered nociception
what is nociceptive pain?
pain that arises from actual or threatened damage to non-neural tissues
