Nociceptors - Pain Flashcards
What is pain?
It is a perceived sensation rather than a stimulus
What are the two sensations of pain?
- pain
- itch
How is pain a protective mechanism?
It makes you consciously aware that tissue damage is occurring or is going to occur
True/False : pain is a subjective perceptions
True
It can be influenced by past or present experiences
What are the three categories of nociceptors ?
- mechanical
- thermal
- polymodal
Are nociceptors adaptive receptors?
No
What inhibits the Synthesis of prostaglandins (which enhances receptor response to harmful stimuli )?
Aspirin like drugs
How is nociceptor activation modulated?
By local chemicals that are released when a tissue is injured e.g.
- postassium
- prostaglandins
- histamine
- serotonin
How do the local chemicals modulate nociceptors?
They either activate them or sensitise them
What is inflammatory pain?
It is increased sensitivity at sites of tissue damage
Describe a fast pain pathway?
Sharp and brief sensation that is localised
Describe a slow pain pathway
A dull,achey and poorly localised sensation that lasts longer and is unpleasant
What are the two pathways that nociceptors activate?
- reflex like protective responses integrated at the spinal cord
- ascending pathways to the cerebral cortex that become a conscious sensation
What are the primary sensory fibres that afferent signals from nociceptors are Carried to the CNS in?
- alpha beta fibres
- alpha delta fibres
- c fibres
Fibres involved in the fast pain pathway
Alpha delta ; they respond signals of mechanical and thermal nociceptors
