Chapter 36.1, Problem 1QC

Summary Introduction

To explain: The way by which visceral pain is “referred”.

Concept introduction: A feeling of pain around the abdomen area (below the ribs and above the pelvis) is called as abdomen. It is usually related with tissue injury followed by inflammation. There are three different types of abdominal pain namely- visceral pain, parietal pain, and referred pain.

Explanation of Solution

The pain aroused from the internal organs of the abdomen is called visceral pain of abdomen. It might cause mild pain because majority of the organ do not have plenty of nerve fibers. Visceral pain arises due to ischemia, necrosis, capsule stretching around an organ, smooth muscle contraction, or it is caused by some chemical during inflammation. It is poorly localized, has less severe pain, and pain is usually constant or intermittent.

A visceral pain that is experienced in any other area of the body is called as referred pain. This majorly occurs when the internal organs of the abdomen share a common nerve pathway. Referred pain is also poorly localized but the pain is constant.