Pain pathways are the routes through which pain signals travel from the site of injury to the brain. When tissue is damaged, specialized nerve endings called nociceptors detect the injury and send electrical signals through nerve fibers to the spinal cord. From there, the signals are relayed to the brain, where they are interpreted as pain. The brain processes these signals in various regions, including the thalamus and cortex, which help determine the intensity and emotional response to the pain. Understanding these pathways is crucial for developing effective pain management strategies and treatments.