I Palpate and auscultate over the abdominal aorta in any patient with suspected vascular disease. □ Examine the radial, brachial and carotid pulses (p.

Lack of synchronisation implies that it is the patient's pulse. If the examiner is in any doubt aboul which pulse is beins felt, it is useful for the clinician lo palpate his or her own pulse at the same time. □ Flex the knee to 30 degrees and make sure the patient is relaxed. 3.38) using two or three extended fingers. □ With the patient supine, firmly press down and cephalad in the groin crease (Fig. 3.38 Examine the femoral artery, simultaneously while checking for radiofemoral delay. Individual pulses should be recorded as follows:įig. It may be absent or abnormally sited in 10% of normal subjects, sometimes being 'replaced' by a palpable perforating peroneal artery. It passes lateral the tendon of the extensor hallucis longus and is best fell at the proximal exlcnt of the groove between the first and second metatarsals.

This is the continuation of the anterior tibial artery on the dorsum of the fool. This is located 2 cm below and posterior to the medial malleolus where it passes beneath the flexor retinaculum between flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus.ĭorsalis pedis artery. At the level of the knee crease, the artery lies deep in the popliteal fossa and the pulse is sometimes difficult to feel, even by the experienced clinician. In the obese it can be difficult to feel. It is immediately lateral to the femoral vein and medial to the femoral nerve. The I'emoral artery is situated just below the inguinal ligament, midway between the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic symphysis (mid-inguinal point). The anatomy of (he radial, brachial and carotid pulses have been described I p.

Palpation n peroneus