Pharmacology

Physiology and pathophysiology of pain

Development of nociceptive pathways

Nerve injury or dysfunction and neuropathic pain

Central sensitisation

Detection of pain

Detection of pain: central nervous system

Summary of possible receptors on presynaptic and postsynaptic structures in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, and sites of analgesic/adjuvant action (Figure 1.3)

Opioid receptors

Detection of pain: the spinal cord and the first central synapse

Descending pathways in the central nervous system

Ascending pathways in the central nervous system