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nociceptor |
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nociceptor [′nō·sə‚sep·tər] (physiology) A sensory nerve ending that is particularly sensitive to noxious stimuli such as chemical changes in surrounding tissue evoked by injury. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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| This model has been well characterized, showing peripheral sensitization of nociceptors measured as increased sensitivity to joint movement, increased spontaneous activity, and increased responsiveness of previously silent neurons. According to the Mayo Clinic, millions of nociceptors throughout the body pick up signals ranging from pressure to temperature to disease or injury or infection. In the cord, the ends of the nociceptor axons release neurotransmitters--chemicals such as glutamate and substance P--that trigger cord nerve cells to send a pain signal along their own axons that ascend into the brain. |
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