Pain Physiology

Question 1

What is the definition of pain?

Answer 1

Unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage

Question 2

What is the name for pain receptors?

Answer 2

Nociceptors

Free nerve ending sensory neurones that can sense noxious stimuli

Found in somatic and visceral structures

Question 3

What are the main components of the pain pathway?

Answer 3

1) pain stimulus)
2) transduction- conversion of pain stimuli to nerve impulses by pain receptors
3) transmission of pain impulse- spinal cord (dorsal horn) by sneakers neurones
4) spinal cord processing
5) transmission of pain info via ascending tracts in SC to brain
6) processing of pain info in brain

Question 4

What are the 2 types of nociceptor and what are their functions?

Answer 4

1) high threshold mechanical response- responds to intense mechanical stimulation
2) polymodal nociceptors- responds to noxious (harmful) mechanisms/thermal and chemical stimuli