Which artery is located on the inner surface of the wrist near the thumb and used to take a pulse in many settings?

• A. Radial Artery
• B. Ulnar Artery
• C. Carotid Artery
• D. Femoral Artery

Answer: (A)

Feeling a pulse at the wrist relies on the radial artery, which runs along the radius toward the thumb and lies just beneath the skin on the thumb side of the wrist. Because it sits close to the surface, it’s easy to press lightly with fingertips and detect the heartbeat, making it a common site for checking heart rate in many settings. The other arteries are in different locations or not typically used at the wrist: the ulnar artery is on the pinky side of the wrist, the carotid artery is in the neck, and the femoral artery is in the groin.