The Physiology of Pain

1974 ◽  
Vol 02 (02) ◽  
pp. 121-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Burgess
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Cerebral Cortex ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Neural System ◽  
Acupuncture Analgesia ◽  
Specific System ◽  
Level Of Activity ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Sensory Fibers

Evidence is presented that the signal that damage has occurred to an animal begins with the activation of receptors which respond specifically to noxious stimuli. In fact, different types of nociceptors are found which respond selectively to different types of damage. The activity of nociceptive sensory fibers influences neurons in the spinal cord which are not activated by other types of somatic stimuli and are thus specific. At higher levels of the nervous system less is known about the physiology of pain and such fundamental questions as the degree to which the cerebral cortex is involved in pain perception have not been answered. It is not known to what extent the mechanisms at higher levels are specific and the significance of convergent systems in which an individual neuron can be excited by a number of different stimuli, both noxious and innocuous, has not been resolved. However, it is argued that the evidence at present most strongly supports the concept that the neural system involved in pain is specific; the activity of neurons in this system either causes pain, or if the level of activity is insufficient, no sensation. Ways in which the activity of this specific system may be modulated are discussed in the context of counterirritation and acupuncture analgesia.

Developmental Overview of Central Neuroanatomy

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peggy Mason
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Cerebral Cortex ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Dorsal Telencephalon ◽  
Adult Spinal Cord ◽  
The Brain

The central nervous system develops from a proliferating tube of cells and retains a tubular organization in the adult spinal cord and brain, including the forebrain. Failure of the neural tube to close at the front is lethal, whereas failure to close the tube at the back end produces spina bifida, a serious neural tube defect. Swellings in the neural tube develop into the hindbrain, midbrain, diencephalon, and telencephalon. The diencephalon sends an outpouching out of the cranium to form the retina, providing an accessible window onto the brain. The dorsal telencephalon forms the cerebral cortex, which in humans is enormously expanded by growth in every direction. Running through the embryonic neural tube is an internal lumen that becomes the cerebrospinal fluid–containing ventricular system. The effects of damage to the spinal cord and forebrain are compared with respect to impact on self and potential for improvement.

Pathophysiology of Pain and Pain Pathways

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Trigo Blanco ◽  
Maricarmen Roche Rodriguez ◽  
Nalini Vadivelu
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Cerebral Cortex ◽  
Peripheral Nervous System ◽  
Dorsal Horn ◽  
Emotional Response ◽  
Protective Function ◽  
Medullary Dorsal Horn ◽  
Pain Pathways ◽  
Nociceptive Information

Pain is a distressing experience and an important cause of suffering and disability. Pain usually signals the presence of injury or disease and generates a complex physiologic and emotional response. It has a protective function in order to restore homeostasis at the autonomic and psychological levels. This chapter reviews the physiology and mechanisms of pain, as well as the pathways in the central and peripheral nervous system that transmit nociceptive information. The chapter divides the pain anatomical pathways into the peripheral nervous system, the spinal cord with the medullary dorsal horn system, and the ascending and supraspinal system. The authors explain the pain pathways as a three-neuron pathway that carries noxious information from the periphery to the cerebral cortex. This chapter defines important concepts such as sensitization, hyperalgesia, and allodynia, as well as describes the modulation process of nociception.

The importance of descending modulatory pain systems

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique Collantes
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Peripheral Nervous System ◽  
Dorsal Horn ◽  
Neural System ◽  
Complex Interaction ◽  
Descending Pathways ◽  
Cerebral Structures ◽  
Descending Control

The landmark paper discussed in this chapter is ‘Descending control of pain’, published by M. J. Millan in 2002. The perception of pain is affected by a complex interaction between nociceptors in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, systems that transfer messages to cerebral structures. The complex interaction between the CNS and the peripheral nervous system in a modifiable and plastic neural system makes the perception of pain unique for each individual. In this regard, the author outlines the neurobiology of pain, providing a detailed description of the descending pathways which modulate the activity of spinal nociceptors which are located in the dorsal horn and which transfer nociceptive messages to cerebellar structures.

Potential for Disruption of Central Nervous System Tissue in Beef Cattle by Different Types of Captive Bolt Stunners

1999 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 390-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. R. SCHMIDT ◽  
K. L. HOSSNER ◽  
R. S. YEMM ◽  
D. H. GOULD
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Right Ventricle ◽  
Air Injection ◽  
Central Nervous System Tissue ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Central United States ◽  
The Right

The application of pneumatic-powered air injection stunners (PPAISs), pneumatic-powered stunners (PPSs), and cartridge-fired stunners (CFSs) in commercial beef slaughter plants was evaluated to determine the extent of dissemination of central nervous system tissue. Fifteen beef slaughter plants in the western and central United States were visited to observe stunning methods and the condition of the hearts at postmortem inspection. As inspectors performed the normal opening of the hearts, the research observer evaluated the contents of the heart for the presence of clots and/or visible tissue segments in the right ventricle. In eight plants where PPAISs were used, 33% of hearts examined (n = 1,050) contained large clots in the right ventricles. In the four plants where CFSs were used, 1% of the hearts (n = 480) contained detectable clots. In three plants where the newly modified PPSs were used, 12% of the hearts (n = 450) contained detectable clots. Large segments of spinal cord were detected, collected, photographed, and confirmed histologically from two hearts in a plant that used a PPAIS. Most of the material was found in a single right ventricle and was composed of 10 to 13 cm segments of spinal cord.

Nerve and muscle

2021 ◽  
pp. 225-280
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Myasthenia Gravis ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neuron Disease ◽  
Neuromuscular Diseases ◽  
Autonomic Nervous ◽  
Spinal Cord Damage ◽  
Different Types

‘Nerve and muscle’ begins by describing the different types of cells found in the nervous system. It overviews both the somatic and autonomic nervous systems, how nerves function to initiate and propagate signals, and how anaesthetics work. Mechanisms of transmission are considered at different types of synapse, including neuromuscular and interneuronal synapses, and the use and effects of drugs on the process are discussed. The physiology of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle are compared and contrasted, and the pathology of neuromuscular diseases such as demyelination, myasthenia gravis, motor neuron disease, and spinal cord damage discussed.

Subcortical structures: The cerebellum, basal ganglia, and thalamus

2020 ◽  
pp. 5937-5945
Author(s):  
Mark J. Edwards ◽  
Penelope Talelli
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Cerebral Cortex ◽  
Basal Ganglia ◽  
Feedback Loops ◽  
Sense Organs ◽  
Subcortical Structures ◽  
Stretch Receptors ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Relay Stations

Less is known of the function of the cerebellum, thalamus, and basal ganglia than of other structures in the brain, but there is an increasing appreciation of their complex role in motor and non-motor functions of the entire nervous system. These structures exercise functions that far exceed their previously assumed supporting parts as simple ‘relay stations’ between cortex and spinal cord. The subcortical structures receive massive different inputs from the cerebral cortex and peripheral sense organs and stretch receptors. Through recurrent feedback loops this information is integrated and shaped to provide output which contributes to scaling, sequencing, and timing of movement, as well as learning and automatization of motor and non-motor behaviours.

Neurodevelopment

2012 ◽  
pp. 156-160
Author(s):  
Karl Zilles
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Cerebral Cortex ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Neural Induction ◽  
The Central Nervous System

This chapter discusses neural induction, organogenesis of the central nervous system, histogenesis of the spinal cord, histogenesis of the brainstem and cerebellum, histogenesis of the cerebral cortex, hemispheric shape and the formation of gyri, and genetic factors during development.

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