Where is the brachial pulse most commonly palpated?

• A. Carotid artery
• B. Popliteal fossa
• C. Cubital fossa
• D. Temporal region

Answer: (C)

The brachial pulse is most easily felt where the artery runs close to the surface at the inner elbow, in the antecubital (cubital) fossa. Here the brachial artery is large and accessible, just medial to the biceps tendon, before it divides into the radial and ulnar arteries. This makes it straightforward to palpate with two fingers and also it’s the site used for most blood pressure measurements because you can compress the artery reliably against the underlying bone.

Other sites are less ideal for routine palpation. The carotid above the sternocleidomastoid can be risky to press in some patients and isn’t used for standard pulse checks. The popliteal area behind the knee is deeper and harder to locate quickly, especially in emergency settings. The temporal region has a smaller, more variable pulse and isn’t practical for routine assessment or BP.