Nociceptors: Their Role in Body's Defenses, Tissue Specific Variations and Anatomical Update

Overview

Journal J Pain Res

Publisher Dove Medical Press

Date 2022 Apr 8

PMID 35392632

Authors

Vladimir N Nikolenko

Ekaterina M Shelomentseva

Maria M Tsvetkova

Elina I Abdeeva

Dmitriy B Giller

Juliya V Babayeva

Evgeny E Achkasov

Liliya V Gavryushova

Mikhail Y Sinelnikov

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The human body is constantly under the influence of numerous pathological factors: both external and internal. These factors can be potentially harmful and are perceived as such with a specialized nervous system subunit: the nociceptive system. The functional unit of the nociceptive system is the nociceptor. Recent studies have shown that nociceptors play a crucial role in maintaining of defensive homeostasis (responsive, immune, behavioral). Nociceptors respond to potentially harmful stimuli within viscera, bones, muscles, skin and specialized sensory organs. They function as complex predictors of harm through formation of pain stimulus. Their function and structures vary within different tissues. This variability reflects the anatomical and pathological peculiarities of varying tissues. Nociceptors play a significant role in adaptive, protective and behavioral reactions. Their functional capabilities and vast spread throughout the body make them the main units of the body's defense system, allowing us to interact with the inner and outer environments.

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