Which term describes pain perceived from a location other than the stimulus origin?

The term that describes pain perceived from a location other than the stimulus origin is referred to as "referred pain." This type of pain occurs when the brain misinterprets signals from the body, leading to the sensation of pain in an area different from where the injury or stimulus is located.

Referred pain is commonly experienced in clinical settings; for example, a person may feel shoulder discomfort from issues related to the heart, such as during a heart attack. This phenomenon occurs because the areas of the body that are involved in the pain share common neural pathways in the spinal cord, leading the brain to perceive the pain in a distant location.

The other terms have specific meanings that do not apply in the same way. Radiating pain typically describes pain that spreads from one location to another but retains a clear connection to the site of origin. Phantom pain refers to pain that is felt in an area where a limb or organ has been removed, not related to a different stimulus source. Hyperalgesia refers to an increased sensitivity to pain, which means that the response to a painful stimulus is heightened, but it does not describe pain felt in another area.

Understanding these distinctions helps in accurately identifying and managing different types of pain in clinical practice.