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Nociceptors

Meaning

Nociceptors are specialized primary sensory neurons, or pain receptors, that are exclusively activated by stimuli that are potentially or actually tissue-damaging, such as extreme temperature, intense pressure, or noxious chemicals. They function as the body’s essential alarm system, transducing these harmful stimuli into electrical signals that are transmitted to the central nervous system. Clinical pain management focuses on modulating the sensitivity and signaling pathways of these receptors.