nociceptor

Noun

nociceptor (plural nociceptors)

1. A sensory receptor that sends signals that cause the perception of pain in response to a potentially damaging stimulus.
   • He divides receptors into three classes— "nociceptors", such as the nerve-endings for pain and hunger, "beneceptors", such as the nerve-endings stimulated when sugar melts on the tongue, and "neutroceptors", such as the nerve-endings in the eye and ear, called " neutroceptors" because they receive...1929, The Australasian Journal of Psychology and Philosophy, page 310
   • The “beneceptors,” “nociceptors,” and "neutroceptors” generally signalled stimuli that were, respectively, beneficial, harmful, or neutral as regards the organism or its species.1973, Behaviorism, page 42

   Synonyms:

   nocisensor

   Antonyms:

   beneceptor