Depolarization

Note that the wave of depolarization (red) is what produces the energy graphed on the EKG. When a wave of depolarization heads for a positive electrode the wave is graphed in a positive (upright) direction. When the wave of depolarization heads towards a negative electrode, the wave produced is graphed in a negative direction.

Notice that the R wave is much more positive than other waves...Remember that the LV is 3 times as thick as the RV. This illustration only shows depolarization. Nerve impulses and repolarization will be discussed at a later point.