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Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of itch
Author(s) -
Wallengren Joanna
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
dermatologic therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1529-8019
pISSN - 1396-0296
DOI - 10.1111/j.1529-8019.2005.00041.x
Subject(s) - medicine , neuroanatomy , thalamus , spinal cord , neurophysiology , neuroscience , anatomy , biology , radiology , psychiatry
The specific pathway of “pure,” histaminergic itch is traced from the mechano‐insensitive nerve fibers in the skin to their central cortical projections. Neuropathic itch created at different levels of this anatomical pathway is reviewed. In this review the present author discusses damage to pruritoceptors in the skin, entrapment syndromes, damage to spinal ganglia, nerve root impingement, injury of the spinal cord, and cerebral damage in the distribution of the middle cerebral artery, capsula interna, or thalamus. Itch in inflamed skin resulting from interactions between nerve transmitters and other mediators of inflammation is described.