Which wave represents depolarization of the ventricles?

The wave that represents depolarization of the ventricles is the QRS complex. During the cardiac cycle, the QRS complex is observed following the P wave, which indicates atrial depolarization. When the ventricles depolarize, this electrical activity is captured in the QRS complex, resulting in a rapid, prominent deflection on the EKG.

This phenomenon occurs because the ventricles are larger than the atria, and thus, their depolarization creates a more substantial electrical signal, resulting in the characteristic sharp spikes seen in the QRS complex. The QRS complex signifies the beginning of ventricular contraction, ultimately leading to the pumping of blood to the body and lungs.

The T wave, in contrast, represents ventricular repolarization, while the P wave corresponds to atrial depolarization. The R wave specifically refers to the peak of the QRS complex, which is a part of the larger QRS waveform, but it doesn’t encompass the complete picture of ventricular depolarization. Therefore, recognizing the QRS complex as a whole is essential in understanding the electrical events involved during ventricular activity.