Describe step-by-step what happens when a person steps onto the broken glass, in

Question

Describe step-by-step what happens when a person steps onto the broken glass, including all the neuronal pathways. Include the explanation about the contraction of some muscles and relaxation of others, which ultimately allow a leg to be lifted from the ground. Also, explain how this process occurs without a person even "consciously" thinking about it.

I would really appreciate if you could explain it in steps! i.e person stops onto the broken glass, sensory neurones receive stimuli, etc. Thank you!!!!!

Explanation / Answer

Person steps on broken glass ---- tissue damage---- nociceptors in skin activated--- pain stimulus travels along the neurone connected to the receptor--- this neurone reaches the spinal cord( bundled with several other neurones to form a peripheral nerve)---- these fibres are A delta fibres responsible for transmission of sharp pain sensation. ---- in spinal cord gating mechanisms open to allow pain sensation to pass--- within the dorsal horn of the sc the impulse travels through synapses which forms the reflex arc( afferent path-interneurone-efferent path)--- efferent nerve fibres supplying muscles of the leg perform the withdrawal reflex that is contraction of the flexors and relaxation of the extensors--- withdrawal of leg from the glass before penetration.

Since this is a spinal reflex the information of pain is not transmitted to the brain before withdrawal actually takes place making the process much faster and thus without the realisation of the actual pain sensation by the person (described as unconscious effect )

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