[Structure of afferent flow in a cutaneous nerve during painful and non-painful mechanical stimulation of cat skin]

Abstract

Using the colliding impulses method, a quantitative characteristic of afferent flows encoding signals from a receptors totality is given. The frequency spectrum of impulsation in the cutaneous nerve, relative quantity of active A-, Adelta- and C-fibres, and their distribution by impulsation frequency under skin stimulation with pins and needles are found. The afferent impulse flow registered in the nerve under pinning of skin is characterized by a high density determined by the quantity of excited fibres and their impulsation frequency. Nonmyelinated fibres directly excited under painful stimulation generate high frequency impulsation due to which the flow density in the nerve increases. The quantity of active myelinated fibres and the frequency of their impulsation under pricking do not increase considerably in comparison with the same characteristics under unnoxious stimulation of cutaneous receptors.