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), pressing firmly with two or three fingers. Assess the strength of the pulse. Palpating the femoral and radial pulses at the same time allows detection of radio-femoral delay.

How to Interpret

Showing 1 of 2 findings

Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease

Diminished or absent femoral pulse
Rule in
Somewhat helpful
Rule out
—
Evidence:Limited

References

  • 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. [Named closest candidate; instrumented newborn-screening feature, not a bedside palpation diagnostic-accuracy study.]
  • McGee S. Evidence-Based Physical Diagnosis. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025.

Related Systems / Regions

CardiovascularLower Extremities

Related Bedside Tests

🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Blood Pressure
Rule in:VHAortic Regurgitation, VHVolume Depletion From Significant Blood Loss, HAcute Aortic Dissection +11 more
Rule out:VHVolume Depletion From Significant Blood Loss, HLow-output State (Low Cardiac Index) Within Established Chronic Heart Failure, SHAcute Aortic Dissection +10 more
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Lower Extremity Inspection and Palpation
Rule in:HPeripheral Arterial Disease, SHHeart Failure, MHDeep Vein Thrombosis
Rule out:MHDeep Vein Thrombosis, MHHeart Failure
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Ankle-brachial Index
aka Ankle-brachial pressure index; ankle-arm index
Rule in:SHPeripheral Artery Disease, NHMedial Arterial Calcification (Incompressible Vessels), IESevere Peripheral Artery Disease (Critical Limb Ischemia) +1 more
Rule out:SHPeripheral Artery Disease, NHMedial Arterial Calcification (Incompressible Vessels), IESevere Peripheral Artery Disease (Critical Limb Ischemia) +1 more
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Capillary Refill
Rule in:HHypovolemia, SHDehydration in Pediatric Patient, MHModerate-to-severe Peripheral Artery Disease +4 more
Rule out:MHDehydration in Pediatric Patient, MHHypovolemia, MHShock +3 more
🔒Sign in
Cardiac Auscultation
Rule in:VHAortic Stenosis, VHHeart Failure, VHHypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Obstruction +34 more
Rule out:VHAortic Stenosis, VHHypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Obstruction, SHAortic Regurgitation +33 more
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Pedal Artery Pulse Palpation
Rule in:SHPeripheral Artery Disease
Rule out:SHPeripheral Artery Disease