Which location is the carotid pulse found in an adult?

• A. In the temple
• B. In the wrist
• C. In the groove at the side of the neck
• D. In the crease of the elbow

Answer: (C)

The carotid pulse is felt over the carotid artery in the neck. In adults, you locate it in the groove at the side of the neck, where the common carotid artery runs just medial to the sternocleidomastoid muscle and anterior to the trachea. This area provides a strong, accessible pulse because the artery is large and close to the surface here. By contrast, the temple pulse comes from the temporal artery near the temple, the wrist pulse is from the radial artery at the wrist, and the crease of the elbow yields the brachial pulse. When palpating, touch gently and on only one side at a time.