Practical 9 – Human Biology: Pulses and blood pressure

1). Figure 1 shows the lower arm with some associated blood vessels. The arrows point to the
following vessels (to the top of the diagram to the bottom) respectively:

a). Radial, brachial and ulnar arteries – the branchial is located in the upper arm.

b). Carotid, ulnar and radial arteries – the carotid is located in the neck.

c). Femoral, brachial and tibial arteries – the femoral is located in the lower limb

d). Brachial, radial and ulnar arteries

e). Brachial, ulnar and radial arteries – if the hand is supinated (palm up) then the
radius is lateral to the ulna.

Correct – the ulnar and radial arteries are associated with the ulnar and radius
bones; brachia refer to the upper arms.

2). Relative to the carotid pulse, the ulnar pulse would be expected to be:

a). Felt slightly earlier, but weaker

b). Felt slightly later, but weaker

c). Felt slightly earlier, but stronger

d). Felt slightly later, but stronger

e). Felt at the same time, but weaker

Correct – this is because the ulnar pulse is further from the heart and therefore the pulse takes
longer to arrive and is weaker (peripheral resistance).

3). During vigorous exercise the pulse pressure would be expected to increase. This is because of:

a). An increase in heart rate; a large rise in SBP (systolic blood pressure); little change in DBP
(diastolic blood pressure)

b). An increase in heart rate; no change in SBP; a small fall in DBP – the increased heart rate is
accompanied by an increase in cardiac contractility. Therefore SBP is increased substantially.

c). No change in heart rate; a large rise in SBP; a large rise in DBP – the heart rate must increase to
meet the oxygen demands of working/respiring muscles.

d). No change in heart rate; a small rise in SBP; little change in DBP - the heart rate must increase to
meet the oxygen demands of working/respiring muscles.

e). An increase in heart rate; a large rise in SBP; a large rise in DBP – the increased heart rate causes
little change in DBP as there is less time between beats for the ventricles to fill. However, as cardiac
contractility is also increased, the SBP is increased substantially.
Correct – this increased heart rate causes little change in DBP as there is less time between beats
for the ventricles to fill. However, as cardiac contractility is also increased, the SBP is increased
substantially.