Which direction does the carotid pulse deflect?

Which direction does the carotid pulse deflect?

• A. Outward
• B. Inward
• C. No deflection
• D. Downward

Answer: (A)

The pulse seen in the carotid artery comes from the artery distending as blood is ejected during systole, which pushes the arterial wall outward under the skin. So you palpate an outward bulge or deflection of the artery with each heartbeat. An inward deflection would imply the artery is collapsing or moving toward the midline, which isn’t how a normal carotid pulse behaves during systole. There is a definite pulse, not no deflection, and the movement is outward rather than downward because the artery expands laterally and toward the surface as it fills.

The pulse seen in the carotid artery comes from the artery distending as blood is ejected during systole, which pushes the arterial wall outward under the skin. So you palpate an outward bulge or deflection of the artery with each heartbeat. An inward deflection would imply the artery is collapsing or moving toward the midline, which isn’t how a normal carotid pulse behaves during systole. There is a definite pulse, not no deflection, and the movement is outward rather than downward because the artery expands laterally and toward the surface as it fills.