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Variations in body habitus, such as obesity or muscularity, can affect the location of the apical impulse. Additionally, differences in the position of the heart within the chest cavity can lead to variations in the precise location of the apical impulse.
point of maximum impulse (PMI)
It makes parts of the exam easier and more accurate such as assessment of JVD and apical impulse.
To FEEL for the apical pulse, the "equipment" required is either the fingers and or palm of the hand and a stopwatch or watch with a second hand to count the apical rate. The cardiac apical impulse or point of maximum impulse (PMI) is located along the mid-claviclar line approx. 7-9 cm (about 3") left of the sternum within the 5th intercostal rib cage space just under the left breast. As for LISTENING to the apical pulse, one needs to emply the use of a stethoscope in order to auscultate the heart beat. The chestpiece of the stethoscope should be applied to the bare skin directly upon the PMI where heart sounds are the loudest.
It makes parts of the exam easier and more accurate such as assessment of JVD and apical impulse.
Apical thrust is a geological term that refers to the phenomenon where a fold or thrust fault in the Earth's crust moves in a direction towards the Earth's surface due to tectonic compression. It commonly occurs in mountain-building processes where rocks are pushed upwards and outwards.
apical pulse is actually the heartbeat
the heart
An apical impulse is a brief outward movement of the chest wall that occurs when the heart beats. It is caused by the apex of the heart pushing against the chest wall during contraction. The apical impulse can be felt or seen in the left side of the chest, slightly below the nipple.
An apical is ontop of an epitheilial cell
apical pulse has to be listened to for 1 full minute
the bud at the terminal end of the stem is an apical bud