3.1 EKG

Front

What are Purkinje fibers?

Back

Purkinje fibers are specialized conductive fibers located in the inner ventricular walls of the heart that help coordinate the contraction of the ventricles.

Front

What does an EKG measure?

Back

An EKG (electrocardiogram) measures the electrical activity of the heart.

Front

What does EKG stand for?

Back

EKG stands for Electrocardiogram.

Front

What happens if an EKG reading is missing the P wave?

Back

If an EKG reading is missing the P wave, it indicates that the atria are not contracting.

Front

Describe the flow of electrical impulses through the heart.

Back

The flow of electrical impulses through the heart is: SA node → AV node → Bundle of His → Purkinje fibers → Ventricular depolarization (contraction).

Front

What is the function of the SA node?

Back

The SA node (sinoatrial node) is the natural pacemaker of the heart that initiates the electrical impulses for heartbeats.

Front

What is the role of the AV node?

Back

The AV node (atrioventricular node) receives impulses from the SA node and delays them before passing them to the ventricles.

Front

What is ventricular depolarization?

Back

Ventricular depolarization is the process by which the ventricles contract in response to electrical impulses.

Front

What is the significance of the P wave in an EKG?

Back

The P wave represents atrial depolarization, indicating that the atria are contracting.

Front

What does a flat line on an EKG indicate?

Back

A flat line on an EKG may indicate that the heart has stopped contracting altogether.