The pulse points in the head and neck are:

• A. Carotid and Temporal
• B. Facial and Lingual
• C. Occipital and Maxillary
• D. Temporal and Buccal

Answer: (A)

Pulse points are arteries you can feel at the surface to assess circulation. In the head and neck, the most reliable are the carotid artery in the neck and the superficial temporal artery in the temple region. The carotid pulse is found along the side of the neck, beside the trachea, between the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the larynx, and it’s one of the strongest, easiest pulses to feel. The superficial temporal pulse runs over the temple, just in front of the ear, where the artery is close to the skin over the temporal bone, making it accessible for palpation. These two sites are standard because they are superficial and consistent, which is why they’re the best choice. The other arteries listed—facial and lingual, occipital and maxillary, or temporal and buccal—either aren’t as easily felt, are deeper or smaller, or aren’t reliable pulse points in routine checking. Remember to palpate one carotid at a time for safety.