temporal summation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “temporal summation” mean?
The cumulative effect of multiple stimuli occurring in rapid succession, where the combined effect exceeds that of a single stimulus.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The cumulative effect of multiple stimuli occurring in rapid succession, where the combined effect exceeds that of a single stimulus.
In neuroscience and physiology, the process by which a neuron integrates multiple signals arriving at different times, leading to a threshold being reached and an action potential being generated. More broadly, it can refer to any additive effect of events or inputs over time.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling of related terms may follow regional conventions (e.g., 'neuron' vs. 'neurone' is a historical preference, but 'neuron' is now standard in both).
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency and confined to specialist fields in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “temporal summation” in a Sentence
Temporal summation of [neural signals] results in [an action potential].[A neuron] exhibits temporal summation when [multiple EPSPs arrive close in time].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “temporal summation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The postsynaptic potential temporally summed to reach threshold.
- Neurones can temporally summate inputs.
American English
- The postsynaptic potential temporally summed to reach threshold.
- Neurons can temporally summate inputs.
adverb
British English
- The stimuli were applied temporally summatively.
- The signals summed temporally rather than spatially.
American English
- The stimuli were applied temporally summatively.
- The signals summed temporally rather than spatially.
adjective
British English
- The temporal summation effect was clearly observed.
- We studied temporal summation properties.
American English
- The temporal summation effect was clearly observed.
- We studied temporal summation properties.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Core term in neuroscience, physiology, and psychology courses. Used in research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Precise term describing a fundamental neural process. Used in lab reports, medical contexts (e.g., neurology), and engineering models of neural networks.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “temporal summation”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “temporal summation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “temporal summation”
- Using 'temporary summation' (incorrect; 'temporal' is not synonymous with 'temporary').
- Confusing it with 'spatial summation' (its direct antonym, which involves multiple simultaneous inputs from different locations).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are complementary concepts. Temporal summation depends on the timing of signals from one or a few sources. Spatial summation depends on signals arriving simultaneously from multiple, different sources.
It is a fundamental property of neurons (nerve cells) but can also be a concept applied in other fields like psychology (perception) or engineering (signal processing).
Imagine pushing a swing. One small push may not make it go high. But several small pushes in quick succession (temporal summation) will make it swing properly, whereas the same pushes spread out over a minute (no summation) would not.
'Temporal' is the standard adjective form of 'time' in scientific terminology (cf. temporal lobe, temporal resolution). It is more precise and formal than 'timing', which is often a noun.
The cumulative effect of multiple stimuli occurring in rapid succession, where the combined effect exceeds that of a single stimulus.
Temporal summation is usually technical/scientific in register.
Temporal summation: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtem.pər.əl sʌˈmeɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtem.pɚ.əl səˈmeɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bucket (the neuron) being filled by a series of quick, small cups of water (stimuli). If the cups are poured fast enough (temporal), they add up (summation) and eventually overflow (action potential).
Conceptual Metaphor
NEURONAL COMMUNICATION IS A SUMMATION OF VOTES; TIME IS A SERIES OF EVENTS.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary factor in temporal summation?