Sensory neurons that innervate the skin provide critical information about physical contact
between the organism and the environment, including information about potentially-
damaging stimuli that give rise to the sensation of pain. These afferents also contribute to the
maintenance of tissue homeostasis, inflammation and wound healing, while sensitization of
sensory afferents after injury results in painful hypersensitivity and protective behavior. In
contrast to the traditional view of primary afferent terminals as the sole site of sensory …