Final answer:
To palpate surface characteristics involves examining an area of the body by touch to assess various surface characteristics, like the pulse. Common sites include the radial and carotid arteries as well as the epidermis and sweat glands on the skin. Tools and techniques are used to palpate for checking mucosal tissues and sensory nerve structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
To palpate surface characteristics of an area in the body means to examine it by touch. This is particularly relevant when assessing aspects such as the pulse, which can be palpated manually by placing fingers across specific arteries. The most common areas for palpating the pulse include:
- The radial artery in the wrist
- The common carotid artery in the neck
- The temporal and facial arteries in the head
- The brachial arteries in the upper arm
- The femoral arteries in the thigh
- The popliteal arteries behind the knees
- The posterior tibial arteries near the medial tarsal regions
- The dorsalis pedis arteries in the feet
Aside from arteries, other skin surfaces can be palpated for different reasons, such as examining the epidermis and glands on the skin. In a clinical context, palpation is used to assess various organs, lymph nodes, and structures. Different tools and techniques may be used for specific palpation, including checking mucosal surfaces such as the mouth between cheek and gums, and other sensitive areas like the anus.
The skin itself is a sense organ, with specialized sensory nerve structures distributed throughout the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. These structures are responsible for detecting touch, surface temperature, and pain, with a higher concentration of receptors, like the Meissner and Pacinian corpuscles, on more sensitive areas such as the fingertips.