Left Atrium — ECG/EKG Terminology

Definition: The upper left chamber that receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins.

Key Facts

• Receives oxygenated blood from pulmonary veins and empties into left ventricle.
• Contributes to late diastolic ventricular filling (atrial kick).
• Pressure or volume overload can lead to dilation and atrial arrhythmias.

ECG Connection: Left atrial enlargement and conduction changes may broaden or notch the P wave.

Why It Matters: Atrial rhythm abnormalities are common in left-sided structural disease.