title: The neural mechanisms of oral and facial pain.
abstract: Pain is a complex and variable phenomenon that can be influenced by many factors. The neural pathways serving pain are not passive conduits, but are part of a dynamic system which can result in different levels of pain resulting from similar injuries under different circumstances. The passage of signals in these pathways may be inhibited or enhanced at almost any level, from the peripheral sensory receptors to the higher centres of the brain. This review will describe recent developments in our understanding of these mechanisms and how this knowledge may be used in controlling pain.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Clinical Dental Sciences, Dental School, University of Dundee.
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Cadden
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Orchardson
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000502:physiology; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology; D013787:Thalamic Nuclei / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D014278:Trigeminal Nuclei / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018836:Inflammation Mediators