How does the duration of pain from C fibers compare to the duration of the stimulus?

How does the duration of pain from C fibers compare to the duration of the stimulus?

• A. Duration of pain exceeds duration of stimulus
• B. Coincides with duration of stimulus
• C. Precedes stimulus
• D. Unrelated to stimulus duration

Answer: (A)

C-fiber–mediated pain tends to outlast the external stimulus. These unmyelinated, slow-conducting nociceptors generate dull, burning, diffuse pain that persists even after the stimulus ends. The slow conduction and ongoing release of neuropeptides in the dorsal horn promote prolonged central sensitization, so the perceptual experience of pain extends beyond the duration of the noxious stimulus. This contrasts with rapid, sharp pain produced by A-delta fibers, which closely tracks the stimulus duration. Preceding the stimulus would imply anticipation or a different mechanism not typical of C-fiber–driven pain, and being unrelated to stimulus duration would be incorrect because the lingering pain is still tied to the initial nociceptive input, just extended by central processing.

C-fiber–mediated pain tends to outlast the external stimulus. These unmyelinated, slow-conducting nociceptors generate dull, burning, diffuse pain that persists even after the stimulus ends. The slow conduction and ongoing release of neuropeptides in the dorsal horn promote prolonged central sensitization, so the perceptual experience of pain extends beyond the duration of the noxious stimulus.

This contrasts with rapid, sharp pain produced by A-delta fibers, which closely tracks the stimulus duration. Preceding the stimulus would imply anticipation or a different mechanism not typical of C-fiber–driven pain, and being unrelated to stimulus duration would be incorrect because the lingering pain is still tied to the initial nociceptive input, just extended by central processing.