pain physiology - modulation and perception Flashcards
what is pain modulation
modification of nociceptive signals by the CNS
what is pain perception
the interpretation of sensation
(cognitive interplay between cognitive and emotional factors)
what information does the spinothalamic tract convey
nociceptive info that is localised and fast pain
and temperature
where does the spinothalamic tract (second order neuron) project to
thalamus (ventroposterolateral VPL nucleus)
where do the third order neurons of the spinothalamic tract project to
primary and secondary somatosensory cortex
where does the second order neuron of the spinoreticular tract project to
reticular formation
where does the third order neuron of the spinoreticular tract project to
limbic structures and the hypothalamus
in terms of pain, what is the limbic system responsible for
subjective interpretation of pain and the emotional response
in terms of pain what is the hypothalamus responsible for
autonomic and visceral responses to pain (stress hormone release, BP and HR changes)
where does the spinomesencephalic tract terminate
various midbrain nuclei (inc. PAG)
PAG is important for
activation of descending analgesic pathways
apart from in the PAG where else does the spinomesencephalic tract terminate
pons (parabrachial nucleus) which then projects to the amygdla (limbic system)
when processing pain, what does the thalamus do
relay and sorting station
when processing pain, what does the primary somatosensory system do
involved in sensory discrimination of pain signals (determines the site, quality, intensity etc)
when processing pain, what does the secondary somatosensory system do
places context around the pain (have you felt this before? it will pass?)
