polso

Polso is the Italian word for the wrist, the joint at the distal end of the forearm where the hand begins. In everyday use, polso also refers to the pulse that can be felt at that location, produced by arterial blood flow with each heartbeat.

Anatomy and structure: The wrist comprises the distal ends of the radius and ulna and eight carpal bones arranged in two rows. The radiocarpal and midcarpal joints enable a range of bending and twisting movements of the hand. The area is traversed by tendons, ligaments, and the median nerve within the carpal tunnel, a narrow passage on the palmar side of the wrist.

Measurement and clinical use: The radial artery, located on the thumb side of the wrist, is the most common site for palpating the pulse to estimate heart rate and rhythm. The ulnar artery is another potential site. A weak, absent, or irregular wrist pulse can signal circulatory problems or cardiac arrhythmias and may prompt further evaluation.

Terminology and ranges: In adults, normal resting heart rate typically ranges from about 60 to 100 beats per minute, with lower values often observed in trained athletes. The wrist pulse provides a quick, noninvasive means of assessing circulatory status during routine exams, first aid, or clinical monitoring.

See also: In Italian contexts, polso denotes both the wrist and the pulse at the wrist; related terms include wrist (carpo in anatomical Latin) and radial pulse.