Which term describes pain that is superficial and located in skin or subcutaneous tissue?

• A. Somatic pain
• B. Cutaneous pain
• C. Nociceptive pain
• D. Phantom pain

Answer: (B)

Pain that is superficial and located in the skin or subcutaneous tissue is cutaneous pain. This term specifically designates involvement of the skin and just beneath it, yielding that very surface-level, well-localized sensation often described as sharp or burning, like a sunburn or a paper cut.

Somatic pain covers both superficial and deeper tissues like muscles and bones, so it isn’t as precise for a surface-only location. Nociceptive pain describes the type of signaling from damaged tissue, not where the pain is felt. Phantom pain is pain perceived in a missing limb or body part, not related to skin or subcutaneous tissue.