The period of time following the triggering of an ACTION POTENTIAL when the CELL MEMBRANE has changed to an unexcitable state and is gradually restored to the resting (excitable) state. During the absolute refractory period no other stimulus can trigger a response. This is followed by the relative refractory period during which the cell gradually becomes more excitable and the stronger impulse that is required to illicit a response gradually lessens to that required during the resting state.

DUI

D012032 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0493585

Previous indexing

Neural Conduction (1966-1971)

History note

2007 (1972); for WEDENSKY INHIBITION & VVEDENSKII'S INHIBITION use NEURAL CONDUCTION 1975-2006

Public note

2007; see REFRACTORY PERIOD, NEUROLOGIC 1991-2006; see NEURAL CONDUCTION 1972-1990; for WEDENSKY INHIBITION & VVEDENSKII'S INHIBITION see NEURAL CONDUCTION 1997-2006; WEDENSKY INHIBITION was heading 1977-1996; VVEDENSKII'S INHIBITION was heading 1975-1976