Septum (plural: Septa) — ECG/EKG Terminology

Definition: Partition or wall dividing a cavity; such as the interatrial septum (between atria) and interventricular septum (between ventricles).

Key Facts

• Separates right and left chambers to prevent blood mixing between circulations.
• Interventricular septum carries major conduction tissue including bundle branches.
• Septal motion and thickness affect ventricular mechanics.

ECG Connection: Early septal depolarization contributes to initial QRS vectors and small septal q waves.

Why It Matters: Conduction delays through septal pathways contribute to bundle branch block patterns.