Week 2 Flashcards
What are sensory afferent fibres involved in?
The process of nociception
Sensory afferent fibres play a critical role in transmitting pain signals to the central nervous system.
What is the anatomy and function of the dorsal horn?
It is the site where primary afferent fibres synapse with second-order neurons and where excitatory/inhibitory interneurons interact
The dorsal horn is crucial for pain modulation.
What are the ascending and descending pathways associated with?
Nociceptive regulation
These pathways help in the transmission and modulation of pain signals.
What clinical signs indicate primary nociceptive somatic pain?
Signs include localized pain, pain that is consistent, and pain that reproduces with mechanical movement
Recognizing these signs is important for accurate assessment.
What is acute nociceptive pain?
Pain that arises from actual or potential tissue damage and has a protective role
It evokes a painful sensation that draws immediate attention.
How can observing someone else get injured elicit a pain response?
Through mirror neurons and empathetic responses
This phenomenon illustrates the social and psychological aspects of pain perception.
What is the first step in the clinical reasoning process?
Determine if the patient is appropriate for physiotherapy or if other medical conditions need to be ruled out
This step is essential for ensuring patient safety.
What question should be asked to assess if pain fits a mechanical framework?
Does moving a certain way reproduce their pain?
This helps in understanding the nature of the pain.
What distinguishes peripheral pain mechanisms from supraspinal pain mechanisms?
Peripheral pain mechanisms are bottom-up, while supraspinal pain mechanisms are top-down
Pain is always a combination of both mechanisms.
What happens to pain perception over time after an injury?
The relationship between tissue damage and pain weakens beyond normal healing time
Central sensitization may occur, leading to persistent pain.
What are nociceptors?
Specialized neurons that detect and respond to potentially damaging forms of energy
They play a key role in the sensation of pain.
What is sensory transduction?
The process by which harmful energy is converted into ionic currents
This process is essential for the activation of nociceptors.
How are nociceptors classified?
Based on receptor type and fibre characteristics
This classification helps in understanding their function and response.
Fill in the blank: Nociceptors have a _______ threshold to generate an action potential.
high
This means a higher intensity stimulus is required for activation.
What neurotransmitters are released by calcium channels from 1st order neurons in the dorsal horn?
- Glutamate
- Substance P
- Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)
These neurotransmitters are crucial for excitatory signaling.
What areas of the brain are involved in pain perception?
- Premotor/Motor Cortex
- Cingulate Cortex
- Prefrontal Cortex
- Amygdala
- Sensory Cortex
- Hypothalamus/Thalamus
- Cerebellum
- Hippocampus
- Spinal Cord
These areas form a distributed network for processing pain.
What role does the amygdala play in pain perception?
It modulates pain perception through connections with the descending pain inhibitory system
This is important when considering the impact of fear and learning on pain.
What is the function of the periaqueductal gray?
Involved in both ascending and descending pain modulation systems
It plays a key role in the body’s pain response.
What does stress affect regarding pain perception?
It alters homeostasis and can influence pain perception in both acute and chronic settings
Acute stress can alert individuals to dangerous situations.
Triage
the first person that talks to you and asks dos the patient belong in the clinic?
Basic nerve function
Action potential
Na+ channels open, Na+ enters cell (sodium)–> K+ channels open, Na+ enters cell, Na+ channel closes and no more Na+ enters cell–> K+ leaves cell causing membrane potential to resting level–> K+ channel closes
Is it peripheral driver or supra-spinal (central) driver? location, quality, intensity, behaviour, duration, clinical signs
Pain symptoms
Peripheral:
location: Precise
Quality: sharp, blunt, dull, aching
intensity: worse with movement
behaviour: does not spread
duration: eased quickly with rest
clinical signs: associated with an injury
Supra:
L: shifts and jumps around
Q: unusual
I: severe
B: unpredicatable
D: does not ease quickly
C: pain not associated (e.g standing at bust stop hurts, but standing at party is fine)
If the pain is peripheral somatic nociceptive pain. starts off at physiological stimuli, explain rest
Nociceptor–> drosal root ganglia> spinal cord->thalamus>
Brain goes what will we do and have we experienced this before?
3 types of physiological stimuli
mechanical (pinprick)
thermal (heat/cold)
chemical injury
