Physical examination maneuver

Physical Exam

Femoral Artery Palpation

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Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

With the patient supine, palpate the femoral artery just below the inguinal ligament at the mid-inguinal point, midway between the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic symphysis, using two or three fingers. Assess and compare the pulse strength on both sides.

How to Interpret

Showing 3 of 5 findings

Aortic Coarctation

Absent femoral pulse on newborn examination
Rule in
Very helpfulDerived CI
Rule out
Not helpfulDerived CI
Evidence:Limited

Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease

Diminished or absent femoral pulse
Rule in
Minimally helpfulDerived CI
Rule out
InconclusiveWide CI
Evidence:Limited

Femoral False Aneurysm

Expansile femoral pulsation
Rule in
Very helpfulNo CI
Rule out
Very helpfulNo CI
Evidence:LimitedResearch in progress

References

Research in progress on one or more findings above; ratings may change.

  • Sobinsky KR, Borozan PG, Gray B, Schuler JJ, Flanigan DP. Is femoral pulse palpation accurate in assessing the hemodynamic significance of aortoiliac occlusive disease? Am J Surg. 1984 Aug;148(2):214-216. doi:10.1016/0002-9610(84)90223-x. PMID: 6465427.
  • Siefkes H, Oliveira LC, Koppel R, Hogan W, Garg M, Manalo E, Cresalia N, Lai Z, Tancredi D, Lakshminrusimha S, Chuah CN. Machine Learning-Based Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening Using Dual-Site Pulse Oximetry Measurements. J Am Heart Assoc. 2024 Jun 18;13(12):e033786. doi:10.1161/JAHA.123.033786. PMID: 38879455.
  • Khammari Nyström F, Petersson G, Stephansson O, Johansson S, Altman M. Diagnostic values of the femoral pulse palpation test. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2020;105(4):375-379. PMID: 31597727.
  • Kent KC, McArdle CR, Kennedy B, Baim DS, Anninos E, Skillman JJ. Accuracy of clinical examination in the evaluation of femoral false aneurysm and arteriovenous fistula. Cardiovasc Surg. 1993;1(5):504-506. PMID: 8076086.
  • Deakin CD, Low JL. Accuracy of the advanced trauma life support guidelines for predicting systolic blood pressure using carotid, femoral, and radial pulses: observational study. BMJ. 2000;321(7262):673-674. doi:10.1136/bmj.321.7262.673. PMID: 10987771.
  • McGee S. Evidence-Based Physical Diagnosis. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025.

Research last updated September 9, 2026.

Related Systems / Regions

CardiovascularLower Extremities

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