On a normal ECG tracing, which wave represents depolarization of the atria?
AThe QRS complex
BThe T wave
CThe PR segment
DThe P wave
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. The P wave
1. A normal ECG shows several prominent, labeled points.
2. The small P wave represents depolarization of the atria, and the atria begin contracting about 25 ms after it starts.
3. The larger QRS complex represents depolarization of the ventricles, and the T wave represents their repolarization.
4. The PR segment is the interval between two waves rather than a wave itself, and the QRS complex and T wave represent different electrical events from atrial depolarization.
_Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology (CC BY 4.0), Ch 19 "The Cardiovascular System: The Heart", section 19.2, p. 854_
Keep practising The Cardiovascular System: The Heart
Browse all The Cardiovascular System: The Heart questions for MBBS, or explore more Physiology topics.
Related questions
Work out the numberSpot the lieSpot the odd one outFill in the heart factsA resting adult heart rate below approximately 60 bpm is termed what?Which cranial nerve carries parasympathetic impulses from the cardioinhibitory center to sThe two paired cardiovascular centers that provide nervous control over heart rate are locThe difference between maximum cardiac output during peak exercise and resting cardiac out