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Suspension of Neural Pathways for Pain and Nociception
Author(s) -
BERKLEY KAREN J.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.193
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1540-8167
pISSN - 1045-3873
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8167.1991.tb01363.x
Subject(s) - nociception , sensation , noxious stimulus , medicine , neuroscience , pain sensation , context (archaeology) , conceptualization , nociceptor , anesthesia , psychology , artificial intelligence , computer science , biology , paleontology , receptor
Suspension of Neural Pathways for Pain and Nociception. This review traces the changing conceptualization of the biological mechanisms underlying pain sensation from the time of Descartes. The anatomical basis for the existence of a system dedicated to pain is discussed in the light of detailed neuroanatomical knowledge developed during the past quarter century. The adequacy of defining pain in terms of noxious stimulation is questioned. Instead, pain sensation might better be understood in the context of somatovisceral function, with its underlying neuroanatomical complexity and dynamic interactions between ascending and descending systems.