Which wave on the EKG represents the relaxation of the ventricles?

The T wave on an EKG represents the relaxation, or repolarization, of the ventricles after they have contracted. During the T wave, the ventricular muscle cells are undergoing the process of returning to their resting state after the electrical impulse that caused contraction. This is a crucial phase of the cardiac cycle, as effective relaxation allows the ventricles to refill with blood from the atria in preparation for the next heartbeat.

The other waves on the EKG have different significances. The P wave corresponds to atrial depolarization, which occurs prior to atrial contraction. The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization, marking the moment of ventricular contraction. The U wave is less commonly observed and is thought to be related to the repolarization of the Purkinje fibers or the recovery of the papillary muscles, but it is not as clearly defined in relation to the primary ventricular relaxation phase. Understanding the role of the T wave is essential for interpreting cardiac rhythms and recognizing normal and abnormal heart function.