Analysis of Activity in A and C Fibres Under Mechanical and Thermal Stimulation of the Skin Receptor Field

Abstract

A conduction velocity spectrum in nerve fibres of 0.15 to 90 m/sec was found by means of electrophysiological methods of analysis and computer-aided processing of experimental data. A greater portion of the non-myelinated fibres in the cutaneous nerve proved to be afferent. Patterns of afferent impulse flows entering the central nervous system are determined under various mechanical and thermal stimulations of cat's cutaneous receptive field. Differences of these flows are considered to be the reasons for various sensation modalities. The mechanism of cutaneous mechanoreceptor excitation under temperature stimuli is discussed. Special attention is paid to the contraction of cutaneous collagen under cooling. Experimental data on the change of cutaneous mechanical properties and the electrophysiological changes corroborating the thermomechanical hypothesis of receptor excitation are given.