Basic anatomy and physiology of pain pathways

Sarah Bourne; Andre G Machado; Sean J Nagel

doi:10.1016/j.nec.2014.06.001

Basic anatomy and physiology of pain pathways

Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2014 Oct;25(4):629-38. doi: 10.1016/j.nec.2014.06.001. Epub 2014 Aug 3.

Authors

Sarah Bourne¹, Andre G Machado², Sean J Nagel³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurosurgery, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, S4, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
² Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, S31, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
³ Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, S31, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. Electronic address: nagels@ccf.org.

PMID: 25240653
DOI: 10.1016/j.nec.2014.06.001

Abstract

This article provides an integrated review of the basic anatomy and physiology of the pain processing pathways. The transmission and parcellation of noxious stimuli from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system is discussed. In addition, the inhibitory and excitatory systems that regulate pain along with the consequences of dysfunction are considered.

Keywords: Allodynia; Descending systems; Gait control theory; Hyperalgesia; Peripheral sensitization; Spino-thalamic tract.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Brain / anatomy & histology*
Humans
Neural Pathways
Nociception / physiology*
Pain / physiopathology*
Spinal Cord / anatomy & histology*