A free nerve ending (FNE) or bare nerve ending, is an unspecialized, afferent nerve fiber ending of a sensory neuron. Afferent meaning bringing information from the body's periphery toward the brain. They function as cutaneous nociceptors and are essentially used by vertebrates to detect pain.
Video Free nerve ending
Structure
Free nerve endings are unencapsulated and have no complex sensory structures. They are the most common type of nerve ending, and are most frequently found in the skin. They mostly resemble the fine roots of a plant. They penetrate the dermis and end in the stratum granulosum. FNEs infiltrate the middle layers of the dermis and surround hair follicles.
Maps Free nerve ending
Types
Free nerve endings have different rates of adaptation, stimulus modalities, and fiber types.
Rate of adaptation
Different types of FNE can be rapidly adapting, intermediate adapting, or slowly adapting. A delta type II fibers are fast-adapting while A delta type I and C fibers are slowly adapting.
Modality
Free nerve endings can detect temperature, mechanical stimuli (touch, pressure, stretch) or danger (nociception). Thus, different free nerve endings work as thermoreceptors, cutaneous mechanoreceptors and nociceptors. In other words, they express polymodality.
Fiber types
The majority of A? (A delta) fibers (group III) and C (group IV) fibers end as free nerve endings.
References
External links
- MacIver M, Tanelian D (1993). "Free nerve ending terminal morphology is fiber-type-specific for A delta and C fibers innervating rabbit corneal epithelium". J Neurophysiol. 69 (5): 1779-83. PMID 8509835.
- Gray's s233
- Nociception: Transduction. From the University of Utah.
- Hada R (1990). "[Difference in responses of free nerve endings and Ruffini-type endings innervating the cat mandibular periosteum to square wave pressure stimuli, ramp mechanical stimuli and triangular vibrations]". Shikwa Gakuho. 90 (2): 161-80. PMID 2135092.
- Textbook in Medical Physiology And Pathophysiology: Essentials and clinical problems. Copenhagen Medical Publishers. 1999 - 2000
- Cleland C, Hayward L, Rymer W (1990). "Neural mechanisms underlying the clasp-knife reflex in the cat. II. Stretch-sensitive muscular-free nerve endings". J Neurophysiol. 64 (4): 1319-30. PMID 2258749.
- Somatosensory System from Dr. Daley of North Carolina Wesleyan College.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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