reference electrode (redirected from reference electrodes)

electrode /elec·trode/ (e-lek´trōd) a conductor or medium by which an electric current is conducted to or from any medium, such as a cell, body, solution, or apparatus.

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active electrode  in electromyography, an exploring e.

calomel electrode  one capable of both collecting and giving up chloride ions in neutral or acidic aqueous media, consisting of mercury in contact with mercurous chloride; used as a reference electrode in pH measurements.

esophageal electrode , esophageal pill electrode a pill electrode that lodges in the esophagus at the level of the atrium to obtain electrograms and deliver pacing stimuli.

exploring electrode  in electrodiagnosis, that placed nearest to the site of bioelectric activity being recorded, determining the potential in that localized area.

ground electrode  one that is connected to a ground.

indifferent electrode  reference e.

needle electrode  a thin, cylindrical electrode with an outer shaft beveled to a sharp point, enclosing a wire or series of wires.

patch electrode  a tiny electrode with a blunt tip that is used in studies of membrane potentials.

pill electrode  an electrode usually encased in a gelatin capsule and attached to a flexible wire so that it can be swallowed.

recording electrode  that used to measure electric potential change in body tissue; for recording, two electrodes must be used, the exploring e. and the reference e.

reference electrode  an electrode placed at a site remote from the source of recorded activity, so that its potential is assumed to be negligible or constant.

stimulating electrode  one used to apply electric current to tissue.

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reference electrode

[ref′ərəns]

Etymology: L, referre, to bring back; Gk, elektron, amber, hodos, way

an electrode that has an established potential and is used as a reference against which other potentials may be measured.