In the context of EKGs, what does the term "axis deviation" refer to?

Axis deviation refers to the direction of the heart's electrical activity as it generates electrical impulses that lead to contraction. In an electrocardiogram (EKG), this is represented by the net electrical axis, which indicates the average direction of electrical conduction through the heart during depolarization.

A normal axis typically falls between -30 to +90 degrees, but when there is deviation, it may indicate underlying conditions affecting heart function, such as hypertrophy or conduction blocks. Understanding axis deviation is essential for diagnosing various cardiac pathologies, as it can provide insights into issues such as left or right ventricular hypertrophy or the presence of certain heart diseases.

The other options relate to different characteristics of an EKG: the speed of the heart's rhythm pertains to the heart rate, the width of the QRS complex indicates conduction time through the ventricles, and the height of the T wave reflects repolarization of the ventricles. While these are important parameters in interpreting an EKG, they do not define axis deviation.