PAT 20A/B Lecture 3: (2)PAT20 Fall Week 3 Notes (Pain & Osteoarthritis)
12 Jan 2016
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(2)pat20 fall week 3 notes (pain & osteoarthritis) Pain: whatever and whenever the person says it is. Pain (medical terminology): an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage: transduction: the conversion of a mechanical, thermal, or chemical stimulus to a neuronal action potential. Transduction occurs at the level of the peripheral nerves (nociceptors). These stimuli cause the release of numerous chemicals into the peripheral microenvironment of the pan, ex. histamines, bradykinin, prostaglandins, nerve growth factor, and acids to activate or sensitize the pan to excitation. Transmission along the nociceptor fibres to the level of the spinal cord. A-alpha and a-beta fibres: large fibres enclosed within myelin sheaths that allow them to conduct impulses at a rapid rate. Ex. nonpainful sensations such as light pressure to deep muscles, soft touch to skin, and vibration.
