plateau phase

plateau phase

The second phase of Masters and Johnson’s four-stage model of physiological responses to sexual stimulation. Plateau follows the excitement or sexual arousal phase, and is characterised by increased heart and respiratory rates, increased sexual pleasure, increased muscle tension, and is followed by orgasm.

plateau phase

Microbiology A phase in the growth cycle of bacteria in culture, in which the nutrients are sufficient to sustain growth and the cells dying equal the number being produced de novo Sexology The 2nd of 4 sexual phases delineated by Masters and Johnson. Cf Excitement phase, Orgasmic phase, Resolution phase.