lecture 17 - pain/nociception

Question 1

What is the purpose of nociception?

Answer 1

To indicate potential tissue damage

Question 2

What is chemical sensitisation of nociceptors?

Answer 2

Chemicals released by inflammatory cells in sites of injury increase the sensitivity of nociceptors

Question 3

What are the two types of pain fibres?

Answer 3

1. small, fast myelinated A delta fibres for sharp, localised pain
2. small, slow unmyelinated C fibres for dull, aching, diffuse pain