Final answer:
Local anesthesia numbs nerves in the specific area of surgery using drugs like lidocaine, which block voltage-gated sodium channels, leading to temporary loss of sensation in that region without affecting consciousness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of anesthesia that numbs nerves only in the area of surgery is called local anesthesia. Local anesthetics, such as lidocaine, work by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels on the nerve cells. This action inhibits the initiation and transmission of nerve impulses, leading to a reversible loss of sensation in the targeted area without affecting the patient's awareness or consciousness. Unlike local anesthesia, general anesthesia affects the entire body, inducing a state of unconsciousness and immobility.
Local anesthetics are highly beneficial for procedures confined to one part of the body because they allow patients to remain conscious while avoiding the pain associated with the surgery. Additionally, because their action is reversible and localized, the recovery of nerve function is complete, with no evidence of structural damage to nerve fibers or cells.