Functional neuroanatomy of pain.
Pain is an unpleasant but important biological signal for danger. Nociception is necessary for survival and for maintaining the integrity of the organism in a potentially hostile environment. Pain is induced by noxious stimuli that act on a complex pain sensory apparatus. However, chronic pain no longer affords a protective role, but can become a ruining disease itself, termed "neuropathic pain". This contribution throws light on the complex machinery of pain processing, from the perspective of the connections between key structures that are necessary for a profound understanding of the phenomenon of pain.
Usunoff
K G
KG
Department of Anatomy and Histology, Medical University-Sofia, Bulgaria. uzunoff@medfac.acad.bg
Popratiloff
A
A
Schmitt
O
O
Wree
A
A
D006801:Humans; D009420:Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*