How does a pulse work in the human body?

pulse, rhythmic dilation of an artery generated by the opening and closing of the aortic valve in the heart. A pulse can be felt by applying firm fingertip pressure to the skin at sites where the arteries travel near the skin’s surface; it is more evident when surrounding muscles are relaxed.

What are the 9 pulses of the body?

9 Common Pulse Points (start from head-to-toe… this makes it easier when you have to perform this skill)

• Temporal.
• Carotid.
• Apical.
• Brachial.
• Radial.
• Femoral.
• Popliteal.
• Posterior Tibial.

How many pulse points are in the body?

The pulse is readily distinguished at the following locations: (1) at the point in the wrist where the radial artery approaches the surface; (2) at the side of the lower jaw where the external maxillary (facial) artery crosses it; (3) at the temple above and to the outer side of the eye, where the temporal artery is …

What causes pulse?

The carotid arteries take oxygenated blood from the heart to the brain. The pulse from the carotids may be felt on either side of thefront of the neck just below the angle of the jaw. This rhythmic beat is caused by varying volumes of blood being pushed out of the heart toward the extremities.

Do arteries or veins pulsate?

Veins carry blood depleted of oxygen from the same tissues back to the heart. The arteries are the vessels with the “pulse,” a rhythmic pushing of the blood in the heart followed by a refilling of the heart chamber.

What are the peripheral pulses?

Peripheral Pulses are those pulses that are palpable at the peripheries (hand and legs) –eg, radial, dorsal pedal, which signal vascular compromise–especially in the legs. Major peripheral pulses are palpated for symmetry. The elasticity of the arterial wall is also examined.

What is the normal heart or pulse rate?

The normal pulse for healthy adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. The pulse rate may fluctuate and increase with exercise, illness, injury, and emotions. Females ages 12 and older, in general, tend to have faster heart rates than do males.

Where is the strongest pulse in the body?

The carotid artery
The carotid artery is the strongest pulse because it is in an artery that is relatively large, close to the skin’s surface and relatively close to the…

Why do veins have no pulse?

Since the cardiovascular system is a one-way street, blood in the veins are always farther from the part of the heart that pumped it than blood in arteries. Therefore the pressure in veins is always weaker than in arteries, resulting in a weaker pulse, to the point that it is undetectable by touch alone.