Final answer:
An electrocardiogram (ECG) uses electrodes with color-coding to record the heart's electrical activity. Limb lead colors are white for RA, black for LA, green for RL, and red for LL, while V1 to V6 leads on the chest have the colors red, yellow, green, brown, black, and purple respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is an essential tool in diagnosing and monitoring heart function, capturing the electrical activity of the heart. A standard 12-lead ECG uses 10 electrodes: six are placed on the chest, and four are placed on the limbs. The color coding for these leads is typically as follows:
- Limb leads (four electrodes):
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- Right Arm (RA) - White
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- Left Arm (LA) - Black
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- Right Leg (RL) - Green (used as a ground)
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- Left Leg (LL) - Red
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- Chest leads (six precordial electrodes):
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- V1 - Red
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- V2 - Yellow
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- V3 - Green
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- V4 - Brown
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- V5 - Black
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- V6 - Purple
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The electrodes for a 12-lead ECG are carefully positioned to capture the heart's complex electrical signals, which can indicate normal or abnormal heart function. Advances in technology have made it possible for ECG monitoring devices to become portable, allowing for continuous monitoring and making the ECG a versatile diagnostic tool.