Pain perception
Pain perception
Pain perception (pronunciation: /peɪn pərˈsɛpʃən/) is the process by which pain, a complex, multidimensional experience, is recognized and interpreted by the brain.
Etymology
The term "pain perception" is derived from the Latin word "poena," meaning "punishment," and the Latin word "perceptio," meaning "receiving, collecting, action of taking possession, apprehension with the mind or senses."
Definition
Pain perception involves the neurological processes of encoding and processing noxious stimuli. It is a subjective experience that varies greatly among individuals. Pain can be described in terms of physical sensation or emotional experience, and can be classified as either acute or chronic.
Mechanism
The process of pain perception begins when a noxious stimulus, such as a cut or burn, triggers nociceptors, specialized nerve endings in the skin, muscles, and other tissues. These nociceptors send signals through peripheral nerves to the spinal cord, where they are transmitted to the brain. The brain interprets these signals as pain.
Related Terms
- Nociception: The sensory nervous system's response to certain harmful or potentially harmful stimuli.
- Hyperalgesia: An increased sensitivity to pain.
- Allodynia: A condition in which non-painful stimuli, such as light touch, can cause pain.
- Analgesia: The inability to feel pain while conscious.
- Neuropathic pain: Pain caused by damage or disease affecting the somatosensory nervous system.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pain perception
- Wikipedia's article - Pain perception
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