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(neurology) the time after a neuron fires or a muscle fiber contracts during which a stimulus will not evoke a response

(neurology) the time after a neuron fires or a muscle fiber contracts during which a stimulus will not evoke a response

The term used to designate the fact that in the muscle and nerve there is a short period after activity in which the tissue cannot be excited by stimuli. The phenomenon is exhibited most distinctly by heart-muscle. [Lat.]