You are caring for an 18-year-old who is recovering from a motor vehicle accident (MVA) and has several broken bones. The pain response this individual will most likely experience stems from what part of the central nervous system (CNS)
Cerebral cortex forms the outer layer of cerebrum of brain. It is involved in perception, memory formation, consciousnessetc.
Many cerebral cortical structures like motor cortex, cingulate cortex and insular cortex form a network which is primarily involved in perception and modulation of pain.
Neurotransmitters like GABA, dopamine and glutamate also impact the pain response via cerebral cortex.
Hence, the patient is displaying pain response due to the activity of cerebral cortex.
