Definitions of pain-related terminology
| Term . | Definition . |
|---|---|
| Nociception | The neural processes of encoding and processing noxious stimuli |
| Nociceptors | A receptor on primary afferent fibers preferentially sensitive to a noxious stimulus or to a stimulus that would become noxious if prolonged |
| Hyperalgesia | An increase in pain to a stimulus that is normally painful |
| Allodynia | Pain evoked by a stimulus that does not normally provoke pain |
| Central sensitization | Enhanced excitability of nociceptive neurons in the dorsal horn of spinal cord resulting from tissue damage or inflammation |
| Neuropathic pain | Pain initiated or caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction in the nervous system |
| Nocifensive behavior | Behavioral responses to noxious stimuli |
| Term . | Definition . |
|---|---|
| Nociception | The neural processes of encoding and processing noxious stimuli |
| Nociceptors | A receptor on primary afferent fibers preferentially sensitive to a noxious stimulus or to a stimulus that would become noxious if prolonged |
| Hyperalgesia | An increase in pain to a stimulus that is normally painful |
| Allodynia | Pain evoked by a stimulus that does not normally provoke pain |
| Central sensitization | Enhanced excitability of nociceptive neurons in the dorsal horn of spinal cord resulting from tissue damage or inflammation |
| Neuropathic pain | Pain initiated or caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction in the nervous system |
| Nocifensive behavior | Behavioral responses to noxious stimuli |