Which part of the EKG corresponds to ventricular repolarization?

The T wave on an EKG represents ventricular repolarization. This phase occurs after the ventricles have contracted and is crucial for resetting the electrical state of the heart cells in preparation for the next heartbeat. During ventricular contraction, also known as depolarization, the heart muscles contract to pump blood out. Following this, the T wave indicates that the heart muscles are relaxing and returning to their resting state. This repolarization process ensures that the ventricles are ready to fill with blood again before the next contraction takes place.

Understanding the phases of cardiac action potentials is key to interpreting EKG waves. The P wave corresponds to atrial depolarization, while the QRS complex reflects ventricular depolarization. The U wave is less commonly seen but is thought to represent further repolarization of the ventricles or may relate to other cardiac electrical phenomena. Thus, recognizing the role of each component of the EKG helps in understanding the overall cardiac cycle and the heart's electrical activity.