Classically three positive waves and two negative

troughs have been described.

The positive waves are
"a" (atrial contraction),
"c" (due to bulging of tricuspid valve into the right atrium
during isovolumic systole) and
"v"= atrial venous filling.
The two negative troughs are
"x (due to atrium relaxation and downward displacement of
tricuspid valve) and
"y" descent (rapid filling of ventricle after tricuspid opening).