Physiology of Pain

Question 1

name the 4 processes in the process of pain

Answer 1

transduction
transmission
modulation
perception

Question 2

what is transduction?

Answer 2

translation of noxious stimulus into electrical activity at the peripheral nociceptor

Question 3

what is transmission?

Answer 3

propagation of pain signal as nerve impulses through the nervous system

Question 4

what is modulation?

Answer 4

modification/hindering of pain transmission in the nervous system e.g. by inhibitory neurotransmitters like endogenous opioids

Question 5

what is perception?

Answer 5

Conscious experience of pain. Causes physiological and behavioural responses

Question 6

what are nociceptors?

Answer 6

specific primary sensory afferent neurones normally activated by intense noxious stimuli

Question 7

what do nociceptors relay information to?

Answer 7

second order neurones

Question 8

what do second order neurones ascend the spinal cord in?

Answer 8

anterolateral system

Question 9

what is the anterolateral system comprised of?

Answer 9

spinothalmic tract and spinoreticular tract

Question 10

Adelta-fibres respond to what stimuli?

Answer 10

mechanical and thermal stimuli

Question 11

are Adelta-fibres myelinated?

Answer 11

yes - thinly - allowing fast conduction

pain is laminating, stabbing etc.

Question 12

what do C-fibres respond to?

Answer 12

noxious stimuli - polymodal (all)

pain is burning, throbbing, cramping etc.

Question 13

are C-fibres myelinated?

Answer 13

no - unmyelinated - slow conduction

Question 14

name the 3 classifications of pain

Answer 14

nociceptive, inflammatory and pathological

Question 15

what does nociceptive pain represent?

Answer 15

normal response to injury of tissues by noxious (damaging) stimuli

Question 16

nociceptive pain is only provoked by intense stimulation

true or false?

Answer 16

true

Question 17

in inflammatory pain, what is activated?

Answer 17

the immune system

Question 18

what does inflammatory pain heighten?

Answer 18

pain sensitivity to noxious stimuli (hyperalgesia) and pain sensitivity (allodynia)

Question 19

name the 2 types of pathological pain

Answer 19

neuropathic and dysfunctional

Question 20

what is neuropathic pain caused by?

Answer 20

damage to neural tissue

Question 21

give an expanse of neuropathic pain

Answer 21

compression of nerves

Question 22

what I neuropathic pain perceived as? (sensation)

Answer 22

burning
shooting
numbness
pins and needles

Question 23

what is there no sign of in dysfunctional pain?

Answer 23

identifiable damage or inflammation

Question 24

give examples of dysfunctional pain.

Answer 24

fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, tension headache, temporomandibular joint disease, interstitial cystitis

Question 25

what is referred pain caused by?

Answer 25

convergence of nociceptive visceral and skin afferents upon the same spinothalamic neurons at the same spinal level

Question 26

where is heart pain felt?

Answer 26

left arm and cheek

Question 27

where is gallbladder and liver pain felt?

Answer 27

right shoulder - liver more medial spanning up neck to mandible

Question 28

where is diaphragm/lung pain also felt?

Answer 28

left shoulder

Question 29

where is appendix pain felt?

Answer 29

central abdomen

Question 30

what do you call a man with a one inch penis?

Answer 30

Blair Smith