AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The relatively unspecialized nerve cell endings that initiate the sensation of pain are called nociceptors (noci-is derived from the Latin for “hurt”) (see Figure 9.2).

Detailed explanation-2: -Nociceptors are sensory receptors that detect signals from damaged tissue or the threat of damage and indirectly also respond to chemicals released from the damaged tissue. Nociceptors are free (bare) nerve endings found in the skin (Figure 6.2), muscle, joints, bone and viscera.

Detailed explanation-3: -There are two types of nociceptive pain – visceral and somatic. Somatic Pain is pain in your muscles, skin, or bone. This pain is focused on a specific area and could be the type of pain you feel with movement, when experiencing a headache, or when you cut your skin.

Detailed explanation-4: -Specialized peripheral sensory neurons known as nociceptors alert us to potentially damaging stimuli at the skin by detecting extremes in temperature and pressure and injury-related chemicals, and transducing these stimuli into long-ranging electrical signals that are relayed to higher brain centers.