High-frequency pressure measurements in the refining zone have exposed features that strongly indicate that cavitation occurs regularly in low-consistency refiners. In order to explain the cavitation, it is assumed that pulp fibres are trapped between opposing bars on the discs in such a way that liquid is hindered to enter into the refining gap at the leading edge of the stator bar. In order to prevent a void as the rotor bar drags liquid away from the trapped fibres, a counter flow towards the trapped fibres then needs to be set up. This necessitates a low pressure in the gap, in order that liquid from the groove in front of the rotor is accelerated into the gap at the required rate. It appears that this mechanism can yield gap pressures several hundred kPa below that in the grooves. Cavitation bubbles may then form, which subsequently collapse and cause shock waves when the pressure rises after the bar passage.