Final answer:
The temporal artery is an alternative site for measuring a person's pulse by palpation, located on the temple where the artery is close to the skin surface. It serves as a valuable site for pulse assessment especially when common sites such as the radial or carotid arteries are not accessible.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing a person's pulse by palpation, one location to consider is the temporal artery. To palpate the temporal pulse, you place the tips of your fingers on the temple area of the head, where the temporal artery runs just beneath the skin. The procedure involves pressing lightly over this artery, which can be felt due to the expansion and recoil of the artery walls as the blood is pumped through them during the cardiac cycle. This method is often used as an alternative to the more commonly used radial or carotid pulse points.
Furthermore, the temporal artery may be a particularly valuable site to measure pulse in certain clinical situations where other sites are not accessible or when a rapid assessment is needed. It is worth remembering that the perception of the pulse may diminish the further the site is from the heart, although elements of the systolic and diastolic components are still evident. Pulse palpation is a non-invasive, simple, and quick method that can provide important information about a person's cardiovascular health.