What type of nerve endings are primarily responsible for detecting pain?

Free nerve endings are specialized sensory receptors that play a crucial role in detecting pain and temperature. These nerve endings are distributed throughout the body, especially in tissues that are sensitive to injury or other potential sources of pain, such as the skin, muscles, and internal organs. They are unencapsulated and respond to a variety of stimuli, including mechanical, thermal, and chemical changes, which is why they are so effective at signaling pain sensations.

In contrast, Pacinian corpuscles are primarily responsible for sensing deep pressure and vibration, while Meissner's corpuscles detect light touch, and Ruffini endings are involved in detecting skin stretch and sustained pressure. Their specific functions highlight the unique roles that different types of sensory receptors play in the nervous system. Therefore, it is the free nerve endings that are specifically adapted for the quick transmission of pain signals to the central nervous system, making them integral to the sensation of pain.