electrode
Meaning of electrode: An electrode is a conductor that carries electrical current between a device and the body, used both to deliver energy and to record biological signals.
Definition of electrode
An electrode is a conductor, often a metal plate, patch, or needle, that provides a path for electrical current to pass between a medical device and the body. Electrodes are used in two general ways, either to deliver electrical energy to tissue or to detect electrical activity the body already produces.
Electrodes that deliver energy are used in procedures such as electrocautery, defibrillation, cardiac pacing, and certain forms of nerve or muscle stimulation, where controlled electrical current is applied to achieve a specific effect at a targeted site.
Electrodes that record activity are placed on the skin or, less commonly, within tissue to capture electrical signals produced by the heart, brain, muscles, or nerves, forming the basis of tests such as electrocardiography, electroencephalography, and electromyography, which help diagnose a range of conditions.
Used in a sentence
Electrodes were placed on the patient's chest to obtain a recording of the heart's electrical activity.
Good to know
The same word electrode describes devices with very different purposes, so whether a given electrode is delivering energy or simply recording it depends entirely on the device and procedure involved.
Word origin
Where “electrode” comes from
Formed from electro-, from Greek elektron, meaning amber, an early source of static electricity, combined with Greek hodos, meaning way or path.