PULSE-CURVES OF VARIOUS ARTERIES. 145 



is a tolerably high dicrotic elevation, R, higher than in the carotid 

 curve; because in the axillary artery the arterial tension is less, and 

 permits a greater development of the dicrotic wave. Further on, two 

 or three small elastic vibrations occur, e, e. 



3. Radial Artery (Fig. 54, B; Fig. 58, V-X; Fig. 64, R and R,). 



The line of ascent (Fig. 58) is tolerably high and sudden some- 

 what in the form of a long/. The apex, P, is well marked. Below 

 this, if the tension be high, two elastic vibrations may occur (V, e, e), but 

 if it be low, only one (VI to IX, e). About the middle of the curve is 

 the well-marked dicrotic elevation, R. 



This wave is least pronounced in a small hard pulse, and when the 

 artery is much distended (Fig. 58, VII, Rj); it is larger when the 

 tension is low (Fig. 56, IX, R), and is greatest of all when the 

 pulse is dicrotic (X, R). Two or three small elastic elevations occur 

 in the lowest part of the curve. 



4. Femoral Artery (Fig. 58, XI, XII). 



The ascent is steep and high the apex of the curve is not unfre- 

 quently broad, and in it the closure of the aortic valves (K) is 

 indicated. The curve falls rapidly towards its lower third. The 

 dicrotic elevation, R, occurs late after the beginning of the curve, and 

 there are also small elastic elevations (e, e). 



5. Pedal Artery (Fig. 58, XIV, XV), and Posterior Tibial 

 (Fig. 54, C, and Fig. 58, XIII). 



In pulse-curves obtained from these arteries, there are well-marked 

 indications that the apparatus (heart) producing the waves is placed at 



Fig. 61. 



A, curve of posterior tibial, and B, pedal artery of a man. Curves written by the 

 angiograph upon a vibrating plate attached to a tuning-fork. 



a considerable distance. The ascent is oblique and low the dicotric 

 elevation occurs late. Two elastic vibrations (Fig. 58, XIV, e, e) occur 



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