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

/ prəʊˈtɒpəθɪ; ˌprəʊtəˈpæθɪk /

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

Protopathic and epicritic sensibility are lost over the radial side of the forearm.

From Project Gutenberg

Deep sensibility is usually lost over an area almost as extensive as that of protopathic insensibility.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

The areas of epicritic and of protopathic insensibility are illustrated in Fig. 91.

From Project Gutenberg