There are 2 pulses in the foot that to check for - the dorsalis pedis artery (DPA) and the posterior tibial artery (. In contrast to other pulses, the apical pulse is measured over the heart and not an artery and is commonly heard with a stethoscope as opposed to palpated. Palpating for pedal pulses is problematic. Anatomy There are three main arteries in the leg that supply blood to the foot: the peroneal (fibular) artery, the posterior tibial artery, and the anterior tibial arteries. Temporal pulse - The temporal pulse (i.e., superficial temporal artery) is palpated on the temple directly in front of the ear with the index finger.Īpical pulse - The unilateral apical pulse (i.e., apex of the heart) can be located in the fifth intercostal space immediately to the left of the sternum using a stethoscope. One study demonstrated increased interinvestigator agreement among 78 of posterior tibial pulses versus only 58 of the dorsalis pedis pulses when identified. A weak dorsalis pedis artery pulse may be a sign of an underlying circulatory condition, like peripheral artery disease (PAD). Posterior tibial pulse - The posterior tibial pulse is palpated posterior and inferior to the medial malleolus by gently pressing the tibial artery against the underlying bone with the middle and index fingers.ĭorsalis pedis pulse - The dorsalis pedis pulse is palpated in the groove between the first and second toes slightly medial on the dorsum of the foot (i.e., dorsal-lateral to the extensor hallucis longus tendon and distal to the dorsal prominence of the navicular bone) with the middle and/or index fingers. Popliteal pulse - The popliteal pulse is palpated on the posterior knee with the middle and index fingers this pulse is more difficult to palpate as compared to other pulse sites.
Radial artery pulse - The radial pulse is palpated immediately above the wrist joint near the base of the thumb (i.e., common site), or in the anatomical snuff box (i.e., alternative site), by gently pressing the radial artery against the underlying bone with the middle and index fingers.įemoral pulse - The femoral pulse is palpated over the ventral thigh between the pubic symphysis and anterior superior iliac spine with the middle and index fingers. The fibular artery was larger than usual and crossed the lowest portion of the interosseous membrane and continued as dorsalis pedis artery. It is also a synergist of tibialis anterior in inversion of the foot. As a result, it helps with plantar flexion of the foot at the ankle joint. This muscle crosses the ankle joint to insert on the plantar surface of the foot. The brachial artery pulse is commonly used to measure blood pressure with a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer. Tibialis posterior is hidden from view by the large, superficial muscles of the leg gastrocnemius and soleus.
Carotid artery pulse - The common carotid artery is palpated on the neck below the jaw and lateral to the larynx/trachea (i.e., mid-point between your earlobe and chin) using the middle and index fingers.īrachial artery pulse - The brachial artery is palpated on the anterior aspect of the elbow by gently pressing the artery against the underlying bone with the middle and index fingers.
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