An Application of Capsaicin to the Skin or Muscles Causes

question 218

Multiple Choice

An application of capsaicin to the skin or muscles causes first a burning sensation and then a prolonged decrease in pain sensations. Why?

• A) At first capsaicin increases the flow of sodium across the membranes of pain neurons, but eventually the body runs out of sodium ions.
• B) Capsaicin releases the pain neurotransmitter, substance P, faster than it can be resynthesized.
• C) At first capsaicin damages endorphin synapses, but later they recover.
• D) Capsaicin stimulates blood flow to the skin or muscles, but also prevents the blood from leaving the area.

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Definitions:

Hernia

A condition characterized by the protrusion of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it, often causing pain and swelling.

Protrusion

Something that sticks out or bulges beyond a surface or boundary.

Suffix

A morpheme added at the end of a word to alter its meaning or grammatical function.

Toward

In the direction of or closer to something.