protopathic

[ proh-tuh-path-ik ]
/ ˌproʊ təˈpæθ ɪk /

adjective Physiology.

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

Origin of protopathic

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

OTHER WORDS FROM protopathic

pro·top·a·thy [pruh-top-uh-thee] /prəˈtɒp ə θi/, noun

Words nearby protopathic

proton-proton chain, proton-pump inhibitor, protonema, protonic, protonotary, protopathic, protopathic sensibility, protopectin, protophilic, protophloem, protoplanet

Example sentences from the Web for protopathic

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

    Manual of Surgery |Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

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

    Manual of Surgery |Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

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

    Manual of Surgery |Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

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

    Manual of Surgery |Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

British Dictionary definitions for protopathic

protopathic
/ (ˌprəʊtəˈpæθɪk) /

adjective physiol

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

Derived forms of protopathic

protopathy (prəʊˈtɒpəθɪ), noun

Word Origin for protopathic

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

Medical definitions for protopathic

protopathic
[ prō′tə-păth′ĭk ]

adj.

Sensing pain, pressure, heat, or cold in a nonspecific manner, usually without localizing the stimulus. Used especially of certain sensory nerves.