Nociceptor
Nociceptor
Nociceptor (pronounced: noh-sigh-sep-tor) is a type of sensory neuron that responds to potentially damaging stimuli by sending signals to the spinal cord and brain. This process, called nociception, usually causes the perception of pain.
Etymology
The term "nociceptor" comes from the Latin nocere meaning "to harm" or "to hurt", and receptor, which refers to a structure in the nervous system that receives specific physiological signals.
Function
Nociceptors are found in the skin, muscle, joints, and some organs. They are responsible for the sensation of intense chemical, mechanical, or thermal stimuli. When activated, they transmit signals through peripheral nerves to the spinal cord, and then to the brain, which interprets these signals as pain.
Types of Nociceptors
There are two main types of nociceptors: Aδ-fiber nociceptors and C-fiber nociceptors. Aδ-fiber nociceptors are myelinated and thus transmit signals quickly, leading to the sensation of sharp, localized pain. On the other hand, C-fiber nociceptors are unmyelinated and transmit signals more slowly, resulting in a dull, diffuse pain.
Related Terms
- Pain: An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage.
- Neuron: A nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system.
- Sensory Neuron: Nerve cells within the nervous system responsible for converting external stimuli from the organism's environment into internal electrical impulses.
- Nociception: The sensory nervous system's response to certain harmful or potentially harmful stimuli.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Nociceptor
- Wikipedia's article - Nociceptor
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