The T wave on an EKG represents which phase?

The T wave on an EKG represents ventricular repolarization, which is the process where the muscle cells of the ventricles recover from the depolarization that previously caused them to contract. During this phase, the ventricular muscle cells begin to return to their resting state, allowing them to prepare for the next heartbeat.

Repolarization is crucial for maintaining the heart's rhythm and ensuring that the ventricles are ready to fill with blood again before the next contraction occurs. This is reflected in the T wave's upward or downward deflection on the EKG, which visually represents how the electrical activity of the ventricles is returning to baseline after contraction.

Understanding the different phases of the cardiac cycle and their corresponding EKG waveforms, such as the P wave (atrial depolarization) and the QRS complex (ventricular depolarization), helps in interpreting heart rhythms and diagnosing potential heart conditions.