10-20 system
The international standard method for EEG electrode placement based on anatomical landmarks.
Full Definition
The 10-20 system is the internationally accepted standard for EEG electrode placement, established by the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. The system uses anatomical landmarks (nasion, inion, and preauricular points) to determine precise electrode positions on the scalp. Electrodes are placed at intervals representing 10% or 20% of the total distance between these landmarks, ensuring reproducible and standardized recordings across different laboratories and studies. This standardization allows for reliable comparison of EEG findings between different institutions and enables consistent localization of brain electrical activity.
Usage
Usage note: Always written with hyphens and numerals; refers to the percentage measurements used in the system.
In Context
- "Electrodes were applied according to the international 10-20 system for standardized recording." — EEG technical report
- "The spike focus was localized to the T3 electrode position using 10-20 system nomenclature." — Clinical EEG interpretation