Neural mechanisms of primary hyperalgesia
Hyperalgesia is a consistent characteristic of tissue injury and inflammation. Pharyngitis is associated with hyperalgesia in the pharyngeal tissues, such that merely swallowing induces pain. In inflammatory arthritis, slight movement of the joint leads to pain. Micturition in the presence of a urinary tract infection is painful, again reflecting the presence of hyperalgesia. This chapter focuses attention on the hyperalgesia that develops in cutaneous tissue. It discusses how hyperalgesia depends on: the stimulus modality being tested (for example, heat, cold, mechanical, or chemical stimuli); the type of injury; the type of cutaneous tissue (for example, hairy versusglabrous skin); and neurogenic factors (for example, axonal reflex, sympathetic efferents). Hyperalgesia occurs not only at the site of injury but also in the surrounding uninjured area. Hyperalgesia at the site of injury is termed primary hyperalgesia, while hyperalgesia in the uninjured skin surrounding the injury is termed secondary hyperalgesia.
Keywords: neural mechanisms, primary hyperalgesia, pharyngitis, hairy versusglabrous skin, micturition, axonal reflex
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