Popliteal pulse Definition, Point location, Rate, Palpation, Landmark

The femoral artery, after passing through adductor hiatus or when opens in the adductor Magnus muscle distal portion, continues as popliteal artery. The pulse obtained in the popliteal artery is known as popliteal pulse. The pulsations obtained from the inferior part of the fossa i.e. having popliteal artery are the best. The popliteal artery is related to the tibia. Whenever there is weak pulse or no pulse felt in the popliteal artery there is an indication of the obstruction in femoral artery or it can also happen that the thick muscular layer around it do not make it appear on surface.

Popliteal pulse Location


Popliteal pulse is present at the underside of knee. The femoral artery after passing through adductor hiatus continue as the popliteal artery. The popliteal artery run downwards passing from popliteal fossa and reaches to the popliteal muscle lower border. In the lower border of popliteal muscle it divides into many branches and spread into the anterior posterior arteries of tibia. Popliteal artery is the deep most artery and runs along with the knee joint capsule. Popliteal artery spans the intercondylar fossa. The five branches of popliteal artery supply blood to the knee muscles and ligaments.

Popliteal pulse Definition, Point location, Rate, Palpation, Landmark


Popliteal pulse Rate

         
The pulse rate is define as the number of pulse recorded per minute by the physician. The pulse rate can be checked by considering the 60 seconds of time or for 30 seconds of time and then double the beats recorded per 30 sec. Pulse rate varies with age and conditions like in adults the normal pulse rate recorded is between 60 and 100 beats per minute and if the condition of the adult is under stress or hyperactive then the pulse rate will increase accordingly. The high and low pulse rate can be an indication for an abnormal condition or disease.

Popliteal pulse Palpation


Most of the time it is difficult to find the popliteal artery and check the palpations in it because it lies deep inside the knee covered with thick layer of muscles. So the palpation can be checked by applying more force to the underside of knee while the patient is allowed to bend his knee sitting on the couch or bed. The healthy pulse will show a rhythm of lub-dub. If there is any abnormality found in the palpation rhythm it will indicate the presence of a disease or abnormality.

Popliteal pulse Landmark

         
The popliteal pulse artery is right downside of the knee joint and can be felt by turning the fingers a little inward and applying pressure on the downside of knee while the patient is lying and bending the leg. A little effort is required to find out the palpations in the popliteal artery. The popliteal pulse point is the landmark of the popliteal artery. To find the exact point of popliteal artery, proper guidance is required and also training is required to find the artery and how to press it to check the palpations in it.
Popliteal pulse Definition, Point location, Rate, Palpation, Landmark Popliteal pulse Definition, Point location, Rate, Palpation, Landmark Reviewed by Simon Albert on July 04, 2017 Rating: 5
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