How Is Dorsalis Pedis Pulse Measured?

James H. Sterling
James H. Sterling
• • 7 min read

The Location of the Dorsalis Pedis Artery Pulse Was Recorded Using Two Finger Palpation and Subsequently Verified Using a Handheld Doppler. the Dorsal Most...

How Is Dorsalis Pedis Pulse Measured?

The location of the dorsalis pedis artery pulse was recorded using two finger palpation and subsequently verified using a handheld Doppler. The dorsal most prominence of the navicular bone

navicular bone
The term navicular bone or hand navicular bone was formerly used for the scaphoid bone, one of the carpal bones of the wrist. The navicular bone in humans is located on the medial side of the foot, and articulates proximally with the talus, distally with the three cuneiform bones, and laterally with the cuboid.
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was marked (fig 1). Pulse palpation was evaluated by using two fingers, the index and middle fingers of the dominant hand (fig 1).

Where is dorsalis pedis pulse measured?

Check for either the dorsalis pedis pulse (on the top of the foot) or the posterior tibial pulse (located behind the medial malleolus — the ankle bone). For dorsalis pedis, first, visualize because you might see the skin pulsating above the artery.

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How do you assess the dorsalis pedis pulse?

Pulse: Arterial Vessels of Lower Extremity
  1. The dorsalis pedis pulse is palpable on the dorsum of the foot in the first intermetatarsal space just lateral to the extensor tendon of the great toe.
  2. The posterior tibial pulse can be felt behind and below the medial malleolus.
James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist
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James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.