Which term defines pain characterized by sudden onset, temporary, and localized?

The term that defines pain characterized by sudden onset, temporary, and localized is acute pain. Acute pain typically results from an identifiable injury or condition and is often considered a protective mechanism, signaling that something may be wrong in the body. This type of pain is usually sharp in quality and can arise from various sources, including surgical procedures, injuries, or infections, and it often resolves once the underlying cause is treated or heals.

In contrast, chronic pain is characterized by its persistence over a longer period, usually lasting longer than three months, and often does not have a clear or immediate cause. Neuropathic pain arises from damage or dysfunction of the nervous system and can be ongoing and diffuse rather than localized. Somatic pain pertains to pain originating from skin, muscles, or joints, which may or may not be acute but is often associated with specific physical injury or insult, making acute pain the more precise descriptor for the scenario presented.