Test 1 Flashcards
Afferent vs Efferent
Afferent to the CNS
Efferent from the CNS
What are the properties that are necessary to make a local anesthetic clinically useful?
- Compatible with the tissues and non irritating.
- Actions should be temporary and completely reversible.
- Effective in doses far below its toxic level.
- Hypoallergenic.
- Rapid onset of anesthesia with a duration of action sufficient to complete the dental procedure comfortable.
Two functional groups of local.
Amides and esters.
Are topicals typically esters or amides?
Esters.
What are some of the esters?
Procain, novocaine, etc.
What are some of the amide locals?
Lidocaine (xylocaine), mepivacaine (carbocaine), prilocaine (citanest), Bupivacaine (marcaine), etidocaine (duranest)
Lidocaine
xylocaine
Mepivacaine
Carbocaine
Prilocaine
Citanest
Bupivacaine
Marcaine
Etidocaine
Duranest
Why are amides preferable to the esters?
The means by which the body breaks down the substance of the drug is less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Additionally, the lipid solubility, potency, duration of action and ionization constant are all perferable.
Where are esters and amides broken down?
Esters are reduced by esterases in the tissue and amides are reduced in the liver and excreted in the kidneys.
How does the local anesthetic interfere with how the nerve impulses travel down the length of the nerve itself?
Interferes with the influx of Na ions across the neural membrane. Acts during the depolarization phase of the nerve impulse generation. The rate is reduced and the nerve never reaches the firing potential.
Where does local affect the nerves?
The axonal membranes of peripheral nerves.
The Specific Receptor Theory
The local anesthetic interferes with the sodium channel and blocks the sodium transfer necessary for nerve conduction.
How far must the anesthetic permeate in order to profoundly block?
8 to 10 mm of the nerve’s length.
What is a reason for anesthetic not producing pain control on the second injection?
The lower pH of the tissues, edema, hemorrhage or transudation in the surrounding area. Once the nerve has returned to function, it usually is more difficult to achieve profound anesthesia again.
Why isn’t anesthetic not as effective when infection is present?
Because the pH of the tissues is too low to allow the anesthetic to penetrate the nerve sufficiently.
What is the largest fiber? The smallest?
A is the largest. C is the smallest?
Type C Fibers
No myelin sheath. Responsible for carrying the sensations of pain and temperature. Smallest.
Which fiber is most easily blocked by local anesthetic? Why?
Type C! The lack of a myelin sheath allows easier access to the nerve.
Type A Fibers.
Largest, responsible for carrying pressure and motor sensation. Local is not as effective.
Why can an adequately anesthetized patient always feel pressure during an extraction, but not pain?
Type A fibers, which are the largest, and carry pressure and motor sensation, are not effectively blocked by local.