Share this page
EMG & Nerve Conduction Studies
Common Terms on an EMG & Nerve Conduction Study Report
A patient glossary of the most common terms found on an EMG and nerve conduction study report.
For information only — not medical advice. The content on this page is patient education to help you understand a condition or treatment. It is not a substitute for personalised assessment by a qualified clinician. Always consult your doctor or specialist about your own symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment decisions.
Nerve conduction terms
Latency, amplitude, conduction velocity, F-wave, H-reflex, compound muscle action potential (CMAP), sensory nerve action potential (SNAP).
Needle EMG terms
Fibrillation potentials, positive sharp waves, fasciculations, motor unit potentials, recruitment, polyphasia.
Patterns & diagnoses
Radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, entrapment neuropathy (e.g. carpal tunnel), myopathy, motor neuron disease.
Overview
EMG and nerve conduction reports use specific neurophysiological terms. This glossary explains the most common ones.
References & further reading
- —NICE — Low Back Pain and Sciatica in Over 16s (NG59)
- —British Association of Spine Surgeons (BASS)
- —Royal College of Radiologists — iRefer Guidelines
This information is for general patient education and is not a substitute for an individual consultation. Always seek personalised advice from a qualified spinal specialist.
Found this helpful? Share it
Discuss this with Mr Madi
Personalised, consultant-led advice
Every patient is different. The information on this page is a starting point — Mr Madi will tailor any plan to your specific imaging, symptoms and goals.