Where are the limb leads placed during an EKG?

The limb leads in an EKG are placed on the right arm, left arm, and left leg. This arrangement is crucial because it allows for a comprehensive view of the heart's electrical activity from different angles, which is essential for accurate diagnosis. The right arm lead serves as the reference point for the lead system, while the left arm and left leg help in capturing the electrical impulses that travel through the heart.

This configuration creates the three standard limb leads: Lead I (comparing left arm to right arm), Lead II (left leg to right arm), and Lead III (left leg to left arm), thus providing a biphasic representation of the heart's electrical activity. Correct positioning of these leads ensures that the electrical signals are captured faithfully, contributing to the overall accuracy of the EKG results.