Pain and Nociceptors

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What is pain defined as?

An emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage

A reflex response to harmful stimuli

A sensory experience that can be objectively measured

An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage (correct)

What is a key feature of pain receptors?

They are highly localized and specific

They are free nerve endings with large receptive fields (correct)

They have small receptive fields

They respond only to mechanical stimuli

What type of nerve axons carry fast, pricking pain?

Type C fibers

Type A delta fibers (correct)

Type AB fibers

Type B fibers

What is a characteristic of Type C fibers?

They are unmyelinated and carry slow, aching pain Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between Type A delta and Type C fibers?

Type A delta fibers are myelinated, while Type C fibers are unmyelinated Signup and view all the answers

What type of pain is often followed by a delayed pain response?

Sharp, well-localised pain Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of nociceptors having large receptive fields?

It makes it difficult to determine the source of painful sensations Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the thalamus in relation to pain perception?

Essential for the perception of pain Signup and view all the answers

What is the main challenge in understanding pain?

Pain is a purely subjective experience Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the loss of connection between cortical areas receiving nociceptive inputs and the thalamus?

No effect on pain sensation Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of all sensory experiences, including pain?

They are always subjective and personal Signup and view all the answers

What type of response to pain differs with circumstances and patient?

Affective response Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the general psychological state of an individual, including but not limited to emotions and mood, within a given situation?

Affective state Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of congenital insensitivity to pain?

Absence of all reactions to noxious stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of early childhood experiences in relation to pain responses?

They are important for learning appropriate responses to pain Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the sensory cortex in relation to pain perception?

Stimulation results in weak pain Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of pain from teeth?

It is poorly localized and has a strong affective effect Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between projected and referred pain?

Projected pain is felt at the site of the noxious stimulus, while referred pain is felt in a remote location Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of chronic pain?

Well-localized pain Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the phenomenon where pain is felt in an area served by a different nerve fibre?

Referral Signup and view all the answers

Which type of pain is often characterized by a strong autonomic response?

Visceral pain Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary location of convergence of pain from muscles and joints?

Diffuse regional convergence Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of pain that is often referred between upper and lower teeth?

It does not cross the midline Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of most dental pain?

It is acute and projected Signup and view all the answers

What is chronic pain typically characterized by in clinical terms?

Conditions where pain persists for more than six months Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a physical manifestation of chronic pain?

Loss of appetite Signup and view all the answers

What is a common emotional effect of chronic pain?

Depression Signup and view all the answers

What occurs in the central nervous system (CNS) due to chronic pain?

Sensitization to pain Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of small external or internal fluctuations in neuronal excitability in chronic pain?

Full extent of pain Signup and view all the answers

What is the nucleus caudalis in relation to the trigeminal nerve?

A gate that modifies sensory input Signup and view all the answers

What is the gate theory in relation to pain?

A biopsychosocial model of pain Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between the trigeminal nerve and the spinal cord in relation to pain?

The trigeminal nerve does not synapse via the spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

Where would a second-order nociceptive neuron from the left lower limb normally synapse onto?

Left ventral posterolateral nucleus of the thalamus Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct location of synapse for fibres C within the spinal cord?

Substantia gelatinosa Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would increase the sensitivity of mouse forepaws?

Increasing the size of the receptive fields and receptor density in the forepaws Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the authors of the paper 'On nature of cutaneous sensory mechanisms'?

Wall and Melzack Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of the book recommended for further reading?

Fitzgerald's Clinical Neuroanatomy and Neuroscience Signup and view all the answers

In which year was the paper 'On nature of cutaneous sensory mechanisms' published?

1962 Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the edition of the book recommended for further reading?

7th edition Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a possible location for a second-order nociceptive neuron to synapse?