Describe the stages from noxious stimulus detection to the subjective experience of pain, and explain where modulation can occur.

### What a good answer covers - Define nociception as detection of noxious stimuli by nociceptors. - Describe transmission through the spinal cord and ascending pathways. - Name the brain regions involved in interpretation and subjective pain experience. - Explain that descending pathways from the brain can alter pain intensity and perception. ### The concept Pain processing is a sequence of related operations, not a direct equivalence between stimulus and experience. Nociception detects potentially harmful input; transmission carries signals toward the brain; brain processing helps construct the experience. Descending modulation means the brain can influence incoming pain processing. ### Terms - **Nociception**: Detection of noxious stimuli. - **Nociceptor**: A sensory neuron that detects noxious stimuli. - **Ascending pathway**: A pathway carrying signals toward the brain. - **Descending pathway**: A pathway through which the brain can modulate pain. ### Remember Separate detection, transmission, interpretation, and modulation when explaining pain.