Physical examination maneuver

Physical Exam

Radial Artery Palpation

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Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

Place the pads of your index and middle fingers over the radial artery on the palmar-lateral aspect of the wrist, just medial to the distal radius and lateral to the flexor carpi radialis tendon. Press gently and assess the rate, rhythm, and strength/contour of the pulse, counting over a timed interval to determine the rate.

How to Interpret

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References

  • Naylor JF, Fisher AD, April MD, Schauer SG. An analysis of radial pulse strength to recorded blood pressure in the Department of Defense Trauma Registry. Mil Med. 2020 Dec 30;185(11-12):e1903-e1907. doi:10.1093/milmed/usaa197. PMID: 32754740.
  • Bickley LS, Szilagyi PG, Hoffman RM, Soriano RP. Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2021.
  • Swartz MH. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025.

Related Systems / Regions

CardiovascularUpper Extremities

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