Question

sodium channel blockers such as Lignocaine are commonly used in dentistry as local anaesthetics. draw an annotated diagram of a normal action potential to indicate the role of sodium channels in the generation of nerve impulses

Answer 1

SODIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS: They act by inhibition of sodium influx through cell membranes.Blockade of sodium channels slows the rate and amplitude of initial rapid depolarization,reduces cell excitability and reduces conduction velocity and stop or reduce muscle contractions.

• In Dentistry,Lignocaine is used as a local or regional anesthesia by giving percutaneous or intravenous injections,they block the peripheral nerves such as brachial plexus,intercostal nerves.
• Lignocaine binds to voltage gated sodium channels and prevents the flow of sodium ions into the cell which inturn causes the membrane potential to become low and becomes inactivated leads to blocking of the pathway of pain signals along nerves.