Pain Pathways

Question 1

Without sensitivity and reactivity to noxious stimuli, what does an organism have no means to prevent or minimize?

Answer 1

TISSUE INJURY

Question 2

With what condition do people often die an undramatic death, as a result of relatively trivial tissue damage for example, or ill fitting shoes?

Answer 2

CONGENITAL INSENSITIVITY

Question 3

Do pain signals ascend through a single or multiple pathways?

Answer 3

SEVERAL OVERLAPPING PATHWAYS

ensure signal reaches brain

Question 4

Name the 2 major pain tracts?

Answer 4

1.  LATERAL SPINOTHALAMIC TRACT aka 
NEOSPINOTHALAMIC TRACT 
(cortex)
2.  ANTERIOR SPINOTHALAMIC TRACT aka 
PALEOSPINOTHALAMIC
(several terminating in diff areas)

Question 5

What is the role of descending tracts in pain pathways?

Answer 5

MODULATE PAIN INPUT

inhibit or increase

Question 6

Does the nervous system have pain receptors?

Answer 6

NO

but “neuropathic” pain exists