What is the process by which peripheral pain receptors send an impulse to the CNS called?

The process whereby peripheral pain receptors transmit impulses to the central nervous system (CNS) is referred to as transmission. This phase occurs after a noxious stimulus is detected by nociceptors, which are specialized pain receptors located throughout the body. Once activated, these nociceptors generate action potentials that travel along afferent nerve fibers towards the spinal cord and ultimately to higher brain centers.

During transmission, the pain signal moves through both the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system, with the signal being relayed through various synapses until it reaches the brain. It is important to note that transmission is distinct from the initial detection of the painful stimulus (which involves transduction) and from how that pain is interpreted or experienced in the brain (perception).

Understanding the concept of transmission is crucial for comprehending how pain signals are communicated in the body and how they can be influenced by various interventions, such as analgesics that can modify pain experience by affecting this transmission.