The influence of the volume conductor on the EEG, MEG, fetal ECG and fetal
MCG is studied by means of simulations. The assumption that the Maxwell equ
ations can be used in a quasi-static approximation is reconsidered and the
fact that the conductivity of human tissue is frequency dependent is taken
into account. It is found that displacement currents have a substantial eff
ect on the fetal ECG and to a lesser degree on the fetal MCG. Moreover, the
frequency dependence of the conductivity of the tissues within the head ma
y have a considerable effect on the EEG.