Peripheral Mechanisms of Pain Flashcards
Describe the characteristics and stimuli of Type A-Delta fibers….
Small, lightly myelinated fibers.
- 1st pain (sharp)
- Fast conduction
- Well localized
- Mostly mechanical stimuli
- around 13% of cutaneous nociceptors
Describe the characteristics and stimuli of C-fibers..
Tiny Unmylinated fibers
- 2nd pain (dull/burning)
- Poorly localized
- Chemical, mechanical , thermal & polymodal stimuli.
- Around 87% of cutaneous nociceptors
_______ MAY play a role in mechanical nociception.
ENaCS (epithelium sodium channels)
What are TRP’s and what is their role?
Transient receptor potentials are a large family of receptors transducing chemical and thermal nociception.
- also involved in Non-noxious thermal transduction
- also found in odontoblasts (possible role in tooth pain)
TRP receptors found on the trigeminal sensory fibers respond to what?
Chemicals to mediate chemesthesis.
What is Chemesthesis?
Response of c-fibers (A-delta)
- sensations include: burning, tingling (carbonation) astringency, pungency. (capsaicin spicy food, Salt water in wound)
*do not confuse with SPECIAL CHEMICAL senses such as taste and olfaction, these are not the same.
What does a Vanilloid Receptor do?
AKA: TRPV1 or V1 receptor Responds to: - Capsaicin - Heat 42 degrees - protons * stimulation of Vanilloid receptor results in influx of cations (Na+ and Ca++)
Which branches of the trigeminal nerve have prominent chemesthesis functions?
Nasal = ethmoid branch (sensitive to smelling salts such as ammonia) Ch Oral = posterior palatine, Nasopalatine and lingual nerve
Chemesthesis is mediated by _______.
TRP receptors
T or F, Chemesthesis is responsible for mostly aversive sensations.
True, probably won’t notice “banana” or “Salty”
What are the “Removal” reflexes associated with chemesthesis?
- salivation
- coughing
- tearing up
- sneezing
What dental compounds can activate Chemesthesis?
zinc phosphate, organic solvents, acrylic monomers & disinfectants
T or F, Capsaicin drugs can be used for the treatment of certain pain.
True, can be used to treat postherpetic neuralgia
Explain what happens after intense or repeated stimulation of primary afferent nociceptors?
Desensitization (pain relief cream like icy hot does this)
* capsaicin can desensitize primary afferent nociceptors
What innervates the tooth dentin tubules and pulp?
Dentin tubules = A-delta fibers (Mechanical and thermal sensitivity) Sharp pain
Pulp chamber = C-fibers (thermal sensitivity and chemosenstivity to inflammatory mediators) dull throbbing pain
Dentinal ______ fibers respond to mechanical forces.
A-delta fibers
Dental ____ fibers respond to Temperature.
A-fibers *The sensation from this is sharp pain
With A-delta fibers, Increased nerve activity is associated with what?
Increased pain