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Free nerve ending

Free nerve ending
Details
Identifiers
Latin terminatio neuralis libera
Code TH H3.11.06.0.00002
Anatomical terminology
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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.

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.

Free nerve endings have different rate of adaptation, stimulus modalities, and fiber types.

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.

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.


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