Final answer:
An electrocardiograph is a diagnostic machine that measures and records the electrical impulses of the heart, producing an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) for medical analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
An electrocardiograph is a machine that measures the electrical impulses caused by the beating of the heart and produces a line graph, known as an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). These measurements are obtained by the careful placement of surface electrodes on the body. The standard electrocardiograph can use 3, 5, or 12 leads, with the 12-lead machine providing the most comprehensive information by using 10 electrodes placed in standard locations on the patient's skin.
An electrocardiogram is a crucial diagnostic tool that records the voltages created by the wave of depolarization and subsequent repolarization in the heart. The recordings are vector components of the voltage wave produced by the heart, with the lead II potential being the most often graphed one. This diagnostic device reveals a detailed picture of both normal and abnormal heart function and is indispensable in the field of cardiology.