Final answer:
The pulse found by placing two fingers to the side of the larynx is the common carotid artery in the neck. This area is chosen for its proximity to the surface and ease of palpation. Pulse points are various and include arteries throughout the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pulse that can be felt by lightly placing two fingers on the neck, just to the side of the larynx, refers to the palpation of the common carotid artery. This artery runs close to the surface in the neck and is a typical site used to measure pulse. To accurately find this pulse, one should locate the laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple) and place two fingers gently in the space between it and the neck muscles, slightly towards the side of the neck closer to the individual being examined.
Various pulse points exist throughout the body, including the temporal, facial, brachial, femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis arteries. The thyroid gland is also located in the neck and has a rich vascular supply, though it is not a pulse point. The larynx houses the vocal cords and is situated above the trachea, protected during swallowing by the epiglottis. Overall, understanding these anatomical landmarks aids in locating the common carotid artery pulse.