refractory period
Mandatory recovery interval
The refractory period is a recovery interval during which a cell, organ, or system cannot respond to stimulation.
In neuroscience, it's the brief time after a neuron fires when it cannot fire again.
In cardiology, the heart muscle's refractory period prevents dangerous rapid contractions.
In sexuality, it's the time after orgasm during which another orgasm is impossible—typically longer in men than women: His refractory period got longer as he aged.
Peak sexual pleasure
- arousalStirring to heightened state
- ejaculationSudden expulsion or outcry
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
erection · stimulation · latency · cooldown · prolactin · dopamine · oxytocin · interval
Neuron's rapid electrical discharge
- depolarizationLoss of electrical gradient
- repolarizationMembrane voltage reset
- potassium channelsMembrane proteins selective for K⁺
- membraneThin tissue sheet
hyperpolarization · threshold · excitability · neuron · impulse · synapse · stimulus · nerve
What initiates action
- pulseArterial blood throb
- oscillatorCyclic signal generator
- timerDuration-tracking mechanism
- circuitClosed electrical pathway
reset · retriggering · dead time · recovery · latency · threshold · capacitor · discharge
Rhythmic cardiac contraction
- contractionReduction in size
- myocardiumMuscular tissue of heart
- pacemakerDevice regulating heartbeat
- arrhythmiaAbnormal cardiac rhythm
systole · diastole · ventricle · atrium · depolarization · repolarization · ECG · fibrillation
orgasm
Peak sexual pleasure
- arousalStirring to heightened state
- ejaculationSudden expulsion or outcry
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
resolution · erection · stimulation · latency · cooldown · prolactin · dopamine · oxytocin · interval · male
action potential
Neuron's rapid electrical discharge
- depolarizationLoss of electrical gradient
- repolarizationMembrane voltage reset
- potassium channelsMembrane proteins selective for K⁺
membrane · hyperpolarization · threshold · excitability · neuron · impulse · synapse · stimulus · nerve · axon
trigger
What initiates action
- pulseArterial blood throb
- oscillatorCyclic signal generator
- timerDuration-tracking mechanism
circuit · reset · retriggering · dead time · recovery · latency · threshold · capacitor · discharge · signal
heartbeat
Rhythmic cardiac contraction
- contractionReduction in size
- myocardiumMuscular tissue of heart
- pacemakerDevice regulating heartbeat
arrhythmia · systole · diastole · ventricle · atrium · depolarization · repolarization · ECG · fibrillation · defibrillator
refractory periodexcitability
Proneness to strong reactions
responsiveness · sensitivity · receptivity · depolarization · action potential
refractory periodarousal
Stirring to heightened state
tumescence · erection · desire · libido · engorgement
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