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The peripheral modulation of nociceptive input

  • Bruce Lynn
Chapter

Abstract

Inflamed and injured tissues are characteristically hyperalgesic, i.e. relatively minor stimuli become painful, sometimes very much so. Apart from cases where the injury has directly traumatized nerve trunks, the major process involved in causing hyperalgesia is the sensitization of nociceptive afferents by chemical agents released from inflamed tissues. The increased firing of nociceptors will itself make a major contribution to the hyperalgesia. In addition, the pathologically increased input triggers significant changes in the sensitivity of the centres in the central nervous system that process this input. Chapter 5 by McMahon will concentrate on these central changes; this article will deal with the peripheral effects.

Keywords

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Nociceptive Input Nociceptive Afferents NOCICEPTOR Sensitization Irritant Chemical 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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© Kluwer Academic Publishers 1990

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  • Bruce Lynn

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