GROSS ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Nociceptors respond when a stimulus causes tissue damage, such as that resulting from cut strong mechanical pressure, extreme heat, etc. The damage of tissue results in a release of a variety of substances from lysed cells as well as from new substances synthesized at the site of the injury (Figure 6.5).

Detailed explanation-2: -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.

Detailed explanation-3: -The pain receptors are nociceptors. They are known to exist in muscle, joints, and skin. Each nociceptor has selective sensitivity to mechanical (muscle-fiber stretching), chemical (including lactic acid), and thermal stimuli.

Detailed explanation-4: -Examples of somatic nociceptive pain include metastatic bone pain, postsurgical pain, musculoskeletal pain, and arthritic pain. These pains tend to respond well to the primary analgesics, such as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids.

Detailed explanation-5: -In short, there are three major classes of nociceptors in the skin: A mechanosensitive nociceptors, A mechanothermal nociceptors, and polymodal nociceptors, the latter being specifically associated with C fibers.