Powerpoint 1 Flashcards
What is the neuronal circuit organization in the dorsal column pathway?
Divergence at each synaptic stage; stronger stimuli activate more neurons, especially in the central cortical field.
two-point discrimination, fine vs poor
Fine discrimination: 1-2 mm on fingertips;
Poorer discrimination: 30-70 mm on the back due to fewer tactile receptors.
What is lateral inhibition?
Enhances contrast by blocking lateral spread of excitatory signals.
Occurs at multiple levels: dorsal column nuclei, thalamus, and cortex
How are high frequency vibratory signals detected?
High-frequency vibrations (up to 700 cycles/sec) detected by Pacinian corpuscles
What encodes intensity in signal transmission?
Intensity is encoded by increased number of activated fibers and higher impulse rate in each fiber.
• Enables sensory systems to handle a wide range of stimulus intensities
What kinds of fibers make up the anterolateral system?
Composed of smaller myelinated (Aδ) and unmyelinated (C) fibers
What sensations does the anterolateral system transmit?
Transmits pain, temperature, and crude touch sensations.
Velocity of the anterolateral system
Slower conduction velocities (up to 40 m/sec)
Where are pain receptors located?
Free nerve endings are present in skin, periosteum, arterial walls, joint surfaces, and cranial vault.
Sparse in deep tissues. widespread damage can cause chronic, aching pain
What are the types of painful stimuli?
Mechanical, thermal, and chemical stimuli.
What is the role of bradykinin in pain sensitivity?
Bradykinin is particularly potent in eliciting pain.
How does pain receptor adaptation occur?
Minimal adaptation, often with hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity over time).
What causes pain from ischemia?
Pain from anaerobic byproducts like lactic acid.
What characterizes fast pain?
Felt within 0.1 seconds of stimulus; Sharp, pricking, acute, or electric pain.
Common stimuli: Needle prick, skin cut, acute burn.
Also limited to superficial tissues
What characterizes slow pain?
Begins 1 second or more after stimulus, increasing gradually; Burning, aching, throbbing, or chronic pain.
Associated with tissue destruction
Occurs in both superficial and deep tissues/ organs
What is referred pain?
Pain perceived in a location distant from the actual source of pain, often in a superficial area while the source is deep or visceral.
Why is referred pain clinically important?
Vital in diagnosing visceral ailments where referred pain may be the only symptom.
What is the mechanism behind referred pain?
Visceral pain fibers synapse on the same second-order neurons in the spinal cord that receive pain signals from the skin.
What are the challenges in localizing visceral pain?
Lack of direct experience with internal organs leads to poor localization; Dual pain pathways from visceral organs complicate localization.
What is the true visceral pathway?
Pain signals travel via autonomic nerves and are referred to surface areas far from the origin, based on embryonic origin.
What is the parietal pathway?
Pain signals from parietal peritoneum, pleura, or pericardium travel via local spinal nerves, localized directly over the affected area.
How is appendix pain referred?
Visceral pain is referred to the umbilical region (T10-T11) as aching/cramping; Parietal pain is sharp over the right lower quadrant.
Where does lateral inhibition of the dorsal column pathway occur?
Occurs at multiple levels: dorsal column nuclei, thalamus, and cortex.
How are lower frequency vibratory signals transmitted?
Lower frequencies (below 200 cycles/sec) detected by Meissner’s corpuscles.
How are lower frequency vibratory signals transmitted?
Lower frequencies (below 200 cycles/sec) detected by Meissner’s corpuscles.
What is an important test for dorsal column integrity in neuro exams?
Vibratory signal transmission
Where do anterolateral system fibers synapse, where do they cross, and how do they ascend?
Fibers synapse in the dorsal horns of the spinal cord and cross to the opposite side. Ascend in the anterolateral columns to the brain.
Anterolateral system is important for the perception of ________ and ______
Nociceptive signals and thermal stimuli
Anterolateral system provides _______ precise localization compared to the dorsal column system
less
Painful stimuli: Mechanical
Physical damage or pressure
Painful stimuli: Thermal
Heat, especially above 45°C, which also damages tissues
Painful stimuli: Chemical
Involves chemicals like bradykinin, serotonin, histamine, and potassium ions
How do potassium ions and proteolytic enzymes affect pain sensitivity?
Increase pain by enhancing nerve membrane permeability
What causes pain from muscle spasm?
Causes pain through direct stimulation and induced ischemia
“Perceived origin” of referred pain:
Pain from internal organs is “referred” to the skin because both signals share common neurons, leading the brain to perceive the sensation as originating from the skin