The periaqueductal gray (PAG, also known as the central gray) is a nucleus that plays a critical role in autonomic function, motivated behavior and behavioural responses to threatening stimuli. PAG is also the primary control center for descending pain modulation. It has enkephalin-producing cells that suppress pain.

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Just so, what does periaqueductal mean?

Medical Definition of periaqueductal : of, relating to, or being the gray matter which surrounds the aqueduct of Sylvius.

Also Know, what is the descending pain pathway? The circuit that consists of the periaqueductal gray (PAG) matter in the upper brain stem, the locus coeruleus (LC), the nucleus raphe magnus (NRM) and the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis (Rgc) contributes to the descending pain suppression pathway, which inhibits incoming pain information at the spinal cord

Similarly, you may ask, where is the periaqueductal located?

The periaqueductal gray, or PAG, is an area of gray matter found in the midbrain. The PAG surrounds the cerebral aqueduct (hence the name periaqueductal) and occupies a column of brainstem that stretches about 14 mm long.

Where is the substantia Gelatinosa located?

Substantia gelatinosa is a collection of cells in the gray area (dorsal horns) of the spinal cord. Found at all levels of the cord, it receives direct input from the dorsal (sensory) nerve roots, especially those fibers from pain and thermoreceptors.

Related Question Answers

What is the red nucleus?

The red nucleus or red rubor is a structure in the rostral midbrain involved in motor coordination. The red nucleus is pale pink, which is believed to be due to the presence of iron in at least two different forms: hemoglobin and ferritin.

What are the four phases of of the pain pathway?

Nociceptive pain occurs in 5 phases: 1) Transduction, 2) Conduction, 3) Transmission, 4) Modulation, 5) Perception. Transduction begins when peripheral terminals of nociceptive C fibers and A-delta (Aδ) fibers are depolarized by noxious mechanical, thermal, or chemical energy.

What are the two pain pathways to the brain?

There are two main pathways that carry nociceptive signals to higher centres in the brain. The spinothalamic tract: secondary afferent neurones decussate within a few segments of the level of entry into the spinal cord and ascend in the contralateral spinothalamic tract to nuclei within the thalamus.

How pain is transmitted to the brain?

When we feel pain, such as when we touch a hot stove, sensory receptors in our skin send a message via nerve fibres (A-delta fibres and C fibres) to the spinal cord and brainstem and then onto the brain where the sensation of pain is registered, the information is processed and the pain is perceived.

What is neuropathy pain?

Neuropathic pain is often described as a shooting or burning pain. It can go away on its own but is often chronic. Sometimes it is unrelenting and severe, and sometimes it comes and goes. It often is the result of nerve damage or a malfunctioning nervous system.

What is a descending tract?

The descending tracts are the pathways by which motor signals are sent from the brain to lower motor neurones. The lower motor neurones then directly innervate muscles to produce movement. Pyramidal tracts – These tracts originate in the cerebral cortex, carrying motor fibres to the spinal cord and brain stem.

Which nerves carry pain information to the brain?

Somatosensory neurons (and pain receptors all over the face and head) travel into the central nervous system through the trigeminal nerve.

What is endogenous pain?

Concept. Endogenous pain modulation is a wide-ranging term, delineating the array of actions that the central nervous system can use to reduce, or, at times, augment pain.

What is the physiology of pain?

Acute pain is a physiological response that warns us of danger. The process of nociception describes the normal processing of pain and the responses to noxious stimuli that are damaging or potentially damaging to normal tissue.

What neurotransmitter is most responsible for blocking pain?

However, glutamate and substance P (SP) are the main neurotransmitters associated with the sensation of pain.