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Monitoring the Limb Leads

These diagrams show electrode placement for the six limb leads. RA indicates right arm; LA, left arm; RL, right leg; and LL, left leg. The plus sign (+) indicates the positive pole, the minus sign (−) indicates the negative pole, and G indicates the ground. Below each diagram is a sample ECG recording for that lead.

Lead ILead IILead IIILead aVRLead aVLLead aVF
This lead connects the right arm (negative pole) with the left arm (positive pole).This lead connects the right arm (negative pole) with the left leg (positive pole).This lead connects the left arm (negative pole) with the left leg (positive pole).This lead connects the right arm (positive pole) with the heart (negative pole).This lead connects the left arm (positive pole) with the heart (negative pole).This lead connects the left leg (positive pole) with the heart (negative pole).