A vascular surgeon examines the foot of a patient with suspected peripheral arterial disease. The dorsalis pedis pulse is normally palpated at which position?

• A Immediately lateral to the tendon of extensor hallucis longus ✓
• B Immediately medial to the tendon of extensor digitorum longus
• C Behind the lateral malleolus
• D In the groove between the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon

Explanation

The dorsalis pedis artery, the continuation of the anterior tibial artery, crosses the ankle midway between the malleoli and runs on the dorsum of the foot lateral to the tendon of extensor hallucis longus, where it is palpable against the tarsal bones. Behind the lateral malleolus runs the sural nerve and small saphenous vein rather than an artery, while the groove between the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon contains the posterior tibial artery, the other pedal pulse examined.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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