Anatomy

Nociceptors

Peripheral AFFERENT NEURONS which are sensitive to injuries or pain, usually caused by extreme thermal exposures, mechanical forces, or other noxious stimuli. Their cell bodies reside in the DORSAL ROOT GANGLIA. Their peripheral terminals (NERVE ENDINGS) innervate target tissues and transduce noxious stimuli via axons to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Peripheral AFFERENT NEURONS which are sensitive to injuries or pain, usually caused by extreme thermal exposures, mechanical forces, or other noxious stimuli. Their cell bodies reside in the DORSAL ROOT GANGLIA. Their peripheral terminals (NERVE ENDINGS) innervate target tissues and transduce noxious stimuli via axons to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

8 entry terms
  • Nociceptive Neurons
  • Pain Receptors
  • Receptors, Pain
  • Neuron, Nociceptive
  • Neurons, Nociceptive
  • Nociceptive Neuron
  • Nociceptor
  • Pain Receptor

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

15 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, enzymology, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

78

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Neurons, Afferent (1969-1977)
  • Pain (1966-1977)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

WL 102.9

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Nociceptors. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D009619. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D009619
  2. Nociceptors. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nociceptor
  3. Nociceptors. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q412542