Peripheral Nerves and Local Anesthesia Quiz

Study Notes

Classification of Nerve Fibers and Factors Affecting Local Anesthetic Action

Peripheral nerves are classified based on electrophysiological and morphological differences.
Type A fibers are further divided into four groups, responsible for motor action, muscle proprioception, fast sharp pain, temperatures, touch, and pressure.
Type B fibers are preganglionic and responsible for sympathetic activity.
Type C fibers are unmyelinated and responsible for conduction of dull or burning pain.
Local anesthetics (LA) prevent both the generation and conduction of a nerve impulse, acting like a roadblock between the source of impulse and the brain.
The nerve membrane is the site where LA agents exert their pharmacological actions, and popular theories include the membrane expansion theory and specific receptor theory.
The pH value of a local anesthetic solution greatly influences its action, and acidification of tissue decreases its effectiveness.
Inadequate anesthesia results when local anesthetics are injected into inflamed or infected areas.
Increased lipid solubility of local anesthetics permits the anesthetic to penetrate the nerve membrane more easily.
The degree of protein binding of the anesthetic molecule is responsible for the duration of local anesthetic activity.
The local anesthetic solution with greater vasodilator activity will increase blood flow to the area and decrease anesthetic potency and duration.
The duration is increased in areas of decreased vascularity.

Description

Test your knowledge on the classification of nerve fibers and the factors that affect local anesthetic action with this informative quiz. Explore the electrophysiological and morphological differences in peripheral nerves, and learn about the varying functions of different nerve fiber types. Discover how local anesthetics prevent nerve impulses from reaching the brain, and explore the theories behind their pharmacological actions. Test your understanding of the factors that affect local anesthetic potency and duration, including pH value, lipid solubility, protein binding,