What does the T wave in an ECG represent?

What does the T wave in an ECG represent?

• A. Atrial repolarization
• B. Ventricular depolarization
• C. Atrial depolarization
• D. Ventricular repolarization

Answer: (D)

The T wave shows the ventricles repolarizing—the ventricles resetting their electrical state after contraction to be ready for the next beat. After the ventricles have depolarized, which is seen as the QRS complex, they return to their resting state, and this return is what the T wave reflects. The P wave spans atrial depolarization, while the QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization, so the T wave specifically highlights the ventricle’s recovery rather than its contraction. Atrial repolarization does occur but is usually masked by the QRS complex and not seen as a separate wave.

The T wave shows the ventricles repolarizing—the ventricles resetting their electrical state after contraction to be ready for the next beat. After the ventricles have depolarized, which is seen as the QRS complex, they return to their resting state, and this return is what the T wave reflects. The P wave spans atrial depolarization, while the QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization, so the T wave specifically highlights the ventricle’s recovery rather than its contraction. Atrial repolarization does occur but is usually masked by the QRS complex and not seen as a separate wave.