- Common pulse sites.

Common pulse sites

The pulse may be palpated in any place that allows an artery to be compressed against a bone. 

In Upper limb:

• Axillary pulse: located inferiorly of the lateral wall of the axilla 
• Brachial pulse: located on the inside of the upper arm near the elbow, frequently used in place of carotid pulse in infants (brachial artery).
• Radial pulse: located on the lateral of the wrist (radial artery). 
• Ulnar pulse: located on the medial of the wrist (ulnar artery).

In Lower limb:

• Femoral pulse: located in the inner thigh, at the mid-inguinal point, halfway between the pubic symphysis and anterior superior iliac spine (femoral artery).
• Popliteal pulse: Above the knee in the popliteal fossa, found by holding the bent knee. The patient bends the knee at approximately 124°, and the physician holds it in both hands to find the popliteal artery in the pit behind the knee (Popliteal artery).
• Dorsalis pedis pulse: located on top of the foot, immediately lateral to the extensor of hallucis longus (dorsalis pedis artery).
• Tibialis posterior pulse: located on the medial side of the ankle, 2 cm inferior and 2 cm posterior to the medial malleolus (posterior tibial artery). It is easily palpable over Pimenta's Point.