protopathic

[ proh-tuh-path-ik ]

adjective

, Physiology.

1. noting or pertaining to a general, nondiscriminating responsiveness to pain or temperature stimuli ( epicritic ).
2. primitive; primary.

protopathic

/ ˌprəʊtəˈpæθɪk; prəʊˈtɒpəθɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to a sensory nerve that perceives only coarse stimuli, such as pain
2. of or relating to such perception

Derived Forms

• protopathy, noun

Other Words From

• pro·top·a·thy [pr, uh, -, top, -, uh, -thee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of protopathic¹

First recorded in 1855–60; proto- + -pathic

Word History and Origins

Origin of protopathic¹

C20: from proto- + Greek pathos suffering, disease + -ic

Example Sentences

Neither he nor his disciples have yet recognized the aid proffered them by students of the autonomic system or by the distinctions between the epicritic and protopathic functions and organs of the cerebrum, although these will doubtless come to have their due place as we know more of the nature and processes of the unconscious mind.

From Project Gutenberg

Hayem already turns the incomplete production of serum to account, for distinguishing protopathic pernicious anæmia from other severe anæmic conditions.

From Project Gutenberg

Protopathic sensibility is of a lower order than epicritic.

From Project Gutenberg

The fibres concerned are non-medullated and regenerate comparatively quickly after injury, so that protopathic sensibility is regained before epicritic.

From Project Gutenberg

Protopathic sensibility is lost over an area which varies in different cases.

From Project Gutenberg