What do C-nerve fibers primarily transmit?

C-nerve fibers are classified as unmyelinated nerve fibers, which play a crucial role in the transmission of certain sensory modalities. Primarily, they are responsible for transmitting pain and temperature sensations. This is due to their slower conduction velocity compared to myelinated fibers, which effectively allows for the transmission of signals related to more gradual or diffuse sensations like aching pain and changes in temperature. These fibers are integral in the body’s ability to perceive and respond to harmful stimuli, making them critical for protective reflexes and overall sensory processing.

While other fiber types, such as A-delta fibers, are also involved in pain transmission, C fibers specifically handle the more chronic or dull pain sensations. This distinction is critical in understanding how the nervous system encodes and conveys different types of sensory information.