Biomaterial Database

The functional anatomy of the receptive fields of rabbit C polymodal nociceptors. 1988

P Kenins

Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.

1. The rabbit saphenous nerve was split into small strands to enable recording from single polymodal nociceptive C receptors. 2. The cutaneous receptive field was explored with textile fiber sized probes of diameter 20-50 microns, with buckling loads from 75 to 150 mgf. It was found that the classical 'hot spot', as defined by nylon monofilament von Frey hairs, is composed of a large number of active areas if a smaller stimulating probe is used. 3. Studies of spatial and temporal interaction established that C polymodal nociceptors respond best to slow movements and that each area of the receptive field acts independently of surrounding areas. 4. Moisture on the skin was shown to increase the discharge to a standard stimulus, probably by its softening effect on the stratum corneum. Glueing the probe to the skin showed that compressive force is not the major stimulus. 5. These results support the contention that fabric-evoked prickle is the result of individual stiff fabric hairs exceeding nociceptor threshold at their point of contact with the skin rather than some complex interaction of fabric properties.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009475	Neurons, Afferent	Neurons which conduct NERVE IMPULSES to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Afferent Neurons,Afferent Neuron,Neuron, Afferent
D009619	Nociceptors	Peripheral AFFERENT NEURONS which are sensitive to injuries or pain, usually caused by extreme thermal exposures, mechanical forces, or other noxious stimuli. Their cell bodies reside in the DORSAL ROOT GANGLIA. Their peripheral terminals (NERVE ENDINGS) innervate target tissues and transduce noxious stimuli via axons to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Pain Receptors,Receptors, Pain,Nociceptive Neurons,Neuron, Nociceptive,Neurons, Nociceptive,Nociceptive Neuron,Nociceptor,Pain Receptor
D010812	Physical Stimulation	Act of eliciting a response from a person or organism through physical contact.	Stimulation, Physical,Physical Stimulations,Stimulations, Physical
D011817	Rabbits	A burrowing plant-eating mammal with hind limbs that are longer than its fore limbs. It belongs to the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, and in contrast to hares, possesses 22 instead of 24 pairs of chromosomes.	Belgian Hare,New Zealand Rabbit,New Zealand Rabbits,New Zealand White Rabbit,Rabbit,Rabbit, Domestic,Chinchilla Rabbits,NZW Rabbits,New Zealand White Rabbits,Oryctolagus cuniculus,Chinchilla Rabbit,Domestic Rabbit,Domestic Rabbits,Hare, Belgian,NZW Rabbit,Rabbit, Chinchilla,Rabbit, NZW,Rabbit, New Zealand,Rabbits, Chinchilla,Rabbits, Domestic,Rabbits, NZW,Rabbits, New Zealand,Zealand Rabbit, New,Zealand Rabbits, New,cuniculus, Oryctolagus
D011999	Recruitment, Neurophysiological	The spread of response if stimulation is prolonged. (Campbell's Psychiatric Dictionary, 8th ed.)	Recruitment, Motor Unit,Motor Unit Recruitment,Neurophysiological Recruitment
D001834	Body Water	Fluids composed mainly of water found within the body.	Water, Body
D005260	Female		Females
D000200	Action Potentials	Abrupt changes in the membrane potential that sweep along the CELL MEMBRANE of excitable cells in response to excitation stimuli.	Spike Potentials,Nerve Impulses,Action Potential,Impulse, Nerve,Impulses, Nerve,Nerve Impulse,Potential, Action,Potential, Spike,Potentials, Action,Potentials, Spike,Spike Potential
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia