Ch. 14 Heart Physiology

electrocardiogram

an instrument that measures the hearts electrical activity and generates an EKG

P wave

represents depolarization of the atria

QRS complex

represents depolarization of the ventricles which requires a stronger signal

T wave

represents repolarization of the ventricles

arrhythmia

without normal rhythm

ectopic pacemaker

an area of the heart other then SA node that indicates a contraction

fibrillations

uncoordinated contractions; can occur in atria and ventricles

systole

period of contraction

diastole

period of relaxation (chambers fill with blood)

asculation

listening to internal body sounds with stethoscope

S1

created by closing of AV valves during ventricular contraction; aka lub

S2

created by closing semilunar valve during ventricular diastole; aka dub

cardiac output

measurement of the amount of blood pumped by each ventricle in 1 min

stroke volume

amount of blood pumped by each ventricle