17 / 56
P Waves, QRS Complexes, T Waves, and Some Straight Lines
25
The Parts of the QRS Complex
The QRS complex consists of several distinct waves, each of which
has a name. Because the precise configuration of the QRS complex
can vary so greatly, a standard format for naming each component
has been devised. It may seem a bit arbitrary to you right now, but it
actually makes good sense.
1. If the first deflection is downward, that part of the QRS complex
is called a
Q wave
.
2. The first upward deflection is called an
R wave
.
3. If there is a second upward deflection, it is called
R
′
(“R-prime”).
B
A
QRS complex
(
A
) Ventricular depolarization generates (
B
) a complicated waveform on
the EKG called the QRS complex.