The pulse of which vessel can be felt just inferior and posterior to the medial malleolus?

• A. Posterior tibial artery
• B. Dorsalis pedis artery
• C. Popliteal artery
• D. Anterior tibial artery

Answer: (A)

The key idea is where the distal pulses are felt around the ankle. The artery that runs directly behind and just inferior to the medial malleolus is the posterior tibial artery. It travels in a groove behind the medial ankle and often is found by pressing just behind and slightly below that bony point, in the area known as the tarsal tunnel. This makes its pulse the one you palpate in that specific spot.

The other arteries have different typical locations: the dorsalis pedis pulse is on the top (dorsum) of the foot, not behind the medial malleolus; the popliteal pulse is felt behind the knee; and the anterior tibial pulse is in the front of the leg and becomes the dorsalis pedis pulse as it crosses the ankle.