30 Questions
Which of the following is a possible reason why hitting your thumb with a hammer may cause you to scream or cry in agony?
Activation of the insula and cingulate cortex
What is the mechanism behind rubbing the area reducing pain after hitting your thumb with a hammer?
Activation of Aβ-fibres
What symptom are you likely suffering from if taking a hot shower becomes painful after a day of sunbathing?
Hyperalgesia
Which group of ion channels are activated by a hot shower after sunbathing?
Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels
What is the underlying mechanism that causes the pain during a hot shower after sunbathing?
Peripheral sensitization
What type of pain are you experiencing if you have shooting pains in your arm and a persistent dull ache after putting your hand through a pane of glass?
Neuropathic pain
Which cutaneous nerve endings are activated when light brushing of clothes against your arm causes excruciating pain?
Aβ-fibres
What is the mechanism behind feeling excruciating pain when the wind blows against your arm after putting your hand through a pane of glass?
Central sensitization
Which ascending pathways are activated when experiencing pain in response to a non-noxious stimulus?
Both spinothalamic tract and dorsal column medial lemniscus pathway
Which centrally acting medications could be used for treating shooting pains and persistent dull ache after an injury?
Antidepressants
Scenario one Q1. What is the most likely first response when stepping on a nail with your left foot?
A withdrawal reflex of your left lower limb
Scenario one Q2. What type of nerve fibers are triggered by stepping on the nail, and what is the purpose of each response?
Aδ-fibers for rapid sharp pain and C-fibers for aching sensation
Scenario one Q3. Which spinal pathway would be activated when stepping on the nail, and on which side of the spinal cord would the axons of this pathway run?
Spinothalamic tract, left side
Scenario one Q4. What is the purpose of the second order neurons in the spinothalamic tract?
To carry pain signals to the brain
What is the purpose of the withdrawal reflex when stepping on a nail?
To remove the foot from the source of pain
Which nerve fibers enable precise localization of pain when stepping on a nail?
Aδ-fibers
Which side of the spinal cord do the axons of the spinothalamic tract run when stepping on a nail with the left foot?
Right side
What is the role of the spinothalamic tract in the perception of pain?
To carry pain signals to the brain
What is the purpose of the second order neurons in the spinothalamic tract?
To cross the midline of the spinal cord
What type of pain sensation is associated with the activation of C-fibers?
Aching sensation
Q1. What is the likely cause of spontaneous pain in scenario four?
Activation of nociceptors
Q2. What mechanism allows the individual in scenario five to carry on running despite the pain?
Activation of descending inhibitory pain pathways
Q3. What medication would be initially used to treat the pain in the calf muscles after the race in scenario five?
Ibuprofen and aspirin
Q4. How do non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin work?
By inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis
Q5. What is the likely cause of the pain in the leg during the race in scenario five?
Activation of nociceptors
Q6. Which medications could be used if non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are ineffective for treating the pain in the calf muscles after the race in scenario five?
Tramadol or codeine
Q7. How do opioids such as tramadol or codeine work to relieve pain?
By agonizing the endogenous opioid system
Q8. What is the likely cause of the spontaneous pain in the muscles of the left arm in scenario four?
Activation of nociceptors
Q9. Which medications could be used to treat spontaneous pain in the left arm in scenario four?
Amitriptyline or duloxetine
Q10. How do amitriptyline or duloxetine work to relieve pain?
By activating the descending inhibitory pain pathways
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