Which of the following statements about the direction of the depolarization wavefront is TRUE?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking to evaluate statements about the behavior of depolarization wavefronts in relation to electrocardiography and how they affect deflections recorded on an ECG. We need to understand the relationship between the direction of the wavefront and the resulting deflection on the ECG.
Answer
The direction of the depolarization wavefront is towards the positive electrode, creating a positive deflection.
The final answer is that the direction of the depolarization wavefront in the heart is typically towards the positive electrode in an ECG lead, resulting in an upward (positive) deflection on the ECG trace.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is that the direction of the depolarization wavefront in the heart is typically towards the positive electrode in an ECG lead, resulting in an upward (positive) deflection on the ECG trace.
More Information
The depolarization wavefront moves in the direction of the heart's muscle mass, which is predominantly towards the left ventricle due to its larger size, influencing the typical ECG readings.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing the direction of the depolarization wave with the electrical activity seen on an ECG. Remember, a positive deflection occurs when the wave moves towards the positive electrode.
Sources
- Conquering the ECG - Cardiology Explained - NCBI Bookshelf - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Electrocardiogram - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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