pulse

the regular expansion and contraction of an ARTERY as a fluid wave of BLOOD passes along, originating with the contraction of the HEART muscle and blood leaving the left VENTRICLE . It is detected in arteries near the surface, e.g. the radial artery in the wrist or the brachial artery at the inner side of the upper arm, and decreases with a reduction in size so that the capillaries are under a steady pressure (hence the reason why venous flow is also steady).