ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH Meaning and
Definition
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An electrocardiograph, also known as an ECG or EKG, is a medical device used to measure and record the electrical activity of the heart. It is a diagnostic tool that helps healthcare professionals identify irregularities or abnormalities in heart rhythm and function.
The electrocardiograph works by detecting and amplifying the electrical signals generated by the heart. Small electrodes are attached to specific locations on the patient's chest, arms, and legs, and these electrodes pick up the electrical impulses that travel through the body as the heart beats. The electrodes are connected to the electrocardiograph machine, which then processes and displays the electrical patterns on a graph called an electrocardiogram.
The electrocardiogram provides a visual representation of the heart's electrical activity. It consists of a series of waves and intervals that correspond to different segments of the cardiac cycle. By analyzing these patterns, healthcare professionals can diagnose various conditions such as arrhythmias, ischemia (reduced blood flow to the heart), myocardial infarction (heart attack), and other heart diseases.
The electrocardiograph is a widely used and highly valuable tool in cardiology and emergency medicine. It is non-invasive, painless, and relatively quick to perform, making it suitable for routine screenings as well as diagnosing acute cardiac events. By providing crucial information about the heart's electrical functions, an electrocardiograph plays a pivotal role in helping healthcare professionals make accurate diagnoses and determine appropriate treatment plans for patients with cardiovascular conditions.
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An instrument for recording the electrical changes caused by contraction of the heart muscle; it consists of a strong magnet with the poles near together, and suspended between them a fine platinum or silvered quartz thread; this thread deviates whenever a current passes through it, and the shadow of its movements is magnified by a series of lenses and projected by an arc light on a photographic plate.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH
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Etymology of ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH
The word "electrocardiograph" is derived from two Greek roots:
1. "Electro" comes from the Greek word "elektron", meaning "amber" or "electricity". The term "elektron" itself originated from the word "ēlektron", which means "shining" or "brilliant". In the context of "electrocardiograph", "electro" refers to the measurement and recording of electrical activity.
2. "Cardio" stems from the Greek word "kardia", which translates to "heart". This root is commonly used in medical terminology to refer to the heart.
Lastly, the suffix "-graph" is derived from the Greek word "graphos", meaning "writing" or "to write". Therefore, an "electrocardiograph" is an instrument that allows the electrical activity of the heart to be recorded and displayed graphically.
Similar spelling words for ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH
