Inhibition

(in-hib-ish'-un). The act of checking, restraining, or suppre ing; any influence that controls, retards, or restrains. Inhibitory nerves and centers are those intermediating a modification, stoppage, or suppre ion of a motor or secretory act already in progre . I., Mental, the involuntary restraint that active mental states exercise over bodily functions, normal or otherwise. I., Vasomotor, an influence exerted on the contractile walls of the blood ve els, that causes their dilatation by a diminution of their tone. I., Voluntary, the checking or temporary restraint of a reflex by force of will.