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Gating mechanism

Occurrence of the maximum refractory Period among cardiac conducting cells approximately 2 mm proximal to the terminal Purkinje fibres in the ventricular muscle, beyond which the refractory Period is shortened through a sequence of purkinje cells, transitional cells, and muscular cells; gating mechanism may be a cause of ventricular aberration, bidirectional tachycardia, and concealed extrasystoles, a mechanism by which painful impulses may be blocked from entering the spinal cord.

Compare: gate-control theory.