Electromyography is a test that measures muscle response to nervous
stimulation. A needle electrode is inserted through the skin into
the muscle. Each muscle fiber that contracts will produce an action
potential. The presence, size, and shape of the wave form of the
action potential produced on the oscilloscope, provides information
about the ability of the muscle to respond to nervous stimulation.
Review Date: 08/27/2010
Reviewed By: Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard
Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General
Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director,
A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
