Which pulse is located on the top of the foot, lateral to the big toe tendon?

Which pulse is located on the top of the foot, lateral to the big toe tendon?

• A. Posterior tibial pulse
• B. Popliteal pulse
• C. Dorsalis pedis pulse
• D. Temporal pulse

Answer: (C)

The pulse on the top surface of the foot, just lateral to the tendon that extends the big toe, is the dorsalis pedis pulse. This pulse comes from the dorsalis pedis artery, which runs along the dorsum of the foot and lies just to the side of the extensor hallucis longus tendon (the big toe tendon). Clinically, you palpate it on the dorsum of the foot between the first and second metatarsal bones, where the artery is relatively superficial and can be felt as a small, rhythmic bump. The other pulses aren’t located on the foot’s dorsum: the posterior tibial pulse is felt behind the inner ankle (medial malleolus), the popliteal pulse is located behind the knee in the popliteal fossa, and the temporal pulse is found near the temple.

The pulse on the top surface of the foot, just lateral to the tendon that extends the big toe, is the dorsalis pedis pulse. This pulse comes from the dorsalis pedis artery, which runs along the dorsum of the foot and lies just to the side of the extensor hallucis longus tendon (the big toe tendon). Clinically, you palpate it on the dorsum of the foot between the first and second metatarsal bones, where the artery is relatively superficial and can be felt as a small, rhythmic bump.

The other pulses aren’t located on the foot’s dorsum: the posterior tibial pulse is felt behind the inner ankle (medial malleolus), the popliteal pulse is located behind the knee in the popliteal fossa, and the temporal pulse is found near the temple.