CCBMA Clinical Practice Exam

Palpating a pulse in the middle of the groin identifies the femoral artery. The femoral artery runs under the inguinal ligament into the thigh and is the main arterial supply to the lower limb, so its pulse is best felt in the groin area, typically just below the inguinal ligament and roughly midway between the pubic symphysis and the anterior superior iliac spine. In contrast, the radial pulse is at the wrist, the carotid pulse in the neck, and the popliteal pulse behind the knee, so they aren’t found in the groin.