Which artery is commonly felt when taking the pulse at the thumb side of the wrist?

The radial artery is the vessel that can be palpated on the thumb side of the wrist. This artery is a major blood vessel in the forearm and is responsible for supplying blood to the lateral aspect of the hand. When taking a pulse at the wrist, the radial artery is easily accessible because it runs close to the surface of the skin and is positioned laterally compared to other arteries in the area.

This site is commonly used for assessing the pulse because it provides a reliable indicator of heart rate and can be easily found by pressing the index and middle fingers into the wrist just below the base of the thumb. In clinical practice, medical professionals frequently use the radial pulse as part of a routine assessment of a patient's cardiovascular status.