[Labor pain from the viewpoint of the modern knowledge of pain physiology]

The valuation and treatment of labor pains require complete morphological and anatomical informations about the neuronal systems concerned. A review is given about modern model conceptions in perception, modulation and transmission of pain, based on the latest knowledges in the pain research. The identification of central control- and modulation systems is very important for the actual theory of pain. Pains and also labor pains are caused as a result of complicated nerval connective principles with slim relation to endocrinological system and are also connected with a lot of individual psychical influences. Essentially, four functional stages are passed from the place of nociceptive perception to the registration in the telencephalon. These are depicted in consideration of numerous afferent and efferent, biochemical and hormonal, stimulated and inhibited modulation effects. Various pain inhibitory mechanisms, such as biogenic amines and endogenous opioids are discussed by reference to interesting aspects in new therapeutical possibilities in treatment of pain and also of labor pains.