Nociception is the perception of pain; the activation of specialized nerve fibers that signal the occurrence of tissue damage. Nociceptor, likewise is the fiber that responds to stimuli that are damaging to the skin. Nociceptors is derived from Latin nocere, meaning "to hurt."
Receptors that serve as monitors to alert the brain to damage or threat of damage. They can be mechanical or chemical but are specifically activated by potentially damaging stimulation such as heat or cold, painful pressure or pricking, or chemical damage such as exposure to noxious chemicals.They are sensory receptors in the skin and organs that are capable of responding to various types of stimulation that may cause tissue damage.