staircase phenomenon
trep·pe
(trep'eh), Although in German spelling this word, like all nouns, begins with a capital letter, the English word does not. The final e is not silent.A phenomenon in cardiac muscle first observed by H.P. Bowditch; if a number of stimuli of the same intensity are sent into the muscle after a quiescent period, the first few contractions of the series show a successive increase in amplitude (strength).
Synonym(s): staircase phenomenon
[Ger. Treppe, staircase]
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
trep·pe
(trep'ĕ)A phenomenon in cardiac muscle. If a number of stimuli of the same intensity are sent into the muscle after a quiescent period, the first few contractions of the series show a successive increase in amplitude (strength).
Synonym(s): staircase phenomenon.
Synonym(s): staircase phenomenon.
[Ger. Treppe, staircase]
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
staircase phenomenon
The effect exhibited by skeletal and heart muscle when subjected to rapidly repeated maximal stimuli following a period of rest. In the resulting series of contractions, each is greater than the preceding one until a state of maximum contraction is reached.
Synonym: treppeMedical Dictionary, © 2009 Farlex and Partners