The pain signal travels from the periphery to the spinal cord along an A-delta or C fiber. Because the A-delta fiber is thicker than the C fiber, and is thinly sheathed in an electrically insulating material (myelin), it carries its signal faster (5–30 m/s) than the unmyelinated C fiber (0.5–2 m/s). Pain evoked by the (faster) A-delta fibers is described as sharp and is felt first. This is followed by a duller pain, often described as burning, carried by the C fibers. These first order neurons enter the spinal cord via Lissauer's tract. COUNT 5
QSN1 How does the pain signal travel from the periphery to the spinal cord? ANS1 along an A-delta or C fiber QSN2 Which fiber is thicker? ANS2 A-delta QSN3 What is the electrically insulting material that sheaths a-delta fiber? ANS3 myelin QSN4 How do first order neurons enter the spinal cord? ANS4 via Lissauer's tract QSN5 What is pain evoked by a-delta fibers described as? ANS5 sharp and is felt first