Pain And Temperature Sensation

The statement is true because the overlapping receptive fields of different thermoreceptors enable us to detect and respond to a wide range of temperatures. This means that even if a specific thermoreceptor is not directly activated by a particular temperature, the overlapping receptive fields of neighboring thermoreceptors will still detect and transmit signals about that temperature. This allows our body to have a more comprehensive and accurate perception of temperature, enabling appropriate physiological responses to different temperature stimuli.

Touch and temperature have lower thresholds, meaning that they require less intensity to be detected by our sensory receptors. On the other hand, pain has a higher threshold, meaning that it requires a greater intensity to be perceived. Therefore, the correct answer is "low; high".

When there is damage to cells, the cells will release lots of potassium ions (K+) which will then stimulate the nociceptors. Potassium ions are essential for maintaining the electrical balance in cells. In case of cell damage, the release of potassium ions triggers a response in nociceptors, which are sensory receptors responsible for detecting pain. This activation of nociceptors sends pain signals to the brain, alerting the body to the presence of tissue damage.

Central connections for the head synapse first in the brain stem
Central connections for the body synapse first in the spinal cord

deep pain --> group IV
pricking pain --> group III

Pain, temperature, and touch information synapses in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord in either the substantia gelatinosa or nucleus proprius.

The correct answer is Spinothalamic; VPL. The spinothalamic tract is responsible for transmitting pain and temperature sensations from the body to the brain. These sensations are then relayed to the ventral posterolateral nucleus (VPL) of the thalamus, which serves as a relay station for sensory information before it is further processed and transmitted to the cerebral cortex. The trigeminothalamic tract is involved in transmitting sensory information from the face, not the body. Therefore, the combination of the spinothalamic tract and the VPL nucleus is the most appropriate choice for central connections for pain and temperature.

The homunculus motor cortex is located on the pre central gyrus, while the homunculus sensory cortex is located on the post central gyrus. This is because the pre central gyrus is responsible for controlling voluntary movements, and the motor cortex is located in this area. On the other hand, the post central gyrus is responsible for processing sensory information from different parts of the body, and the sensory cortex is located in this area.

The trigeminothalamic tract synapses in the VPM (ventral posteromedial) nucleus of the thalamus. The VPM nucleus is responsible for relaying sensory information from the face, including pain, temperature, and touch, to the primary somatosensory cortex.

The trigeminothalamic tract is a neural pathway that carries sensory information from the trigeminal nerve to various regions of the brain. This includes the hypothalamus, which is responsible for regulating various bodily functions such as temperature, hunger, and thirst. It also sends information to Brodmann area 3, 1, and 2, which are regions of the cerebral cortex involved in somatosensory processing. Additionally, the trigeminothalamic tract sends information to the reticular formation, which plays a role in regulating arousal and consciousness. Therefore, the correct answer is "all of the above" as the trigeminothalamic tract sends information to the hypothalamus, Brodmann area 3, 1, and 2, and the reticular formation.