Apex beat

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Apex Beat

The Apex Beat (pronounced: /ˈeɪpɛks biːt/), also known as the point of maximum impulse (PMI), is a term used in the field of cardiology to describe the location at which the cardiac impulse can be best palpated on the chest wall.

Etymology

The term "Apex Beat" is derived from the Latin word 'apex', which means 'the tip or summit', and the Old English word 'beat', which means 'to strike repeatedly'. In this context, it refers to the beating or pulsation of the heart's apex against the chest wall during systole.

Description

The Apex Beat is typically located in the fifth intercostal space, at the midclavicular line on the left side of the chest in a healthy adult. However, its location can vary depending on factors such as the individual's body habitus, age, and underlying cardiovascular diseases.

Related Terms

  • Cardiac cycle: The sequence of events that occur when the heart beats.
  • Systole: The phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood from the chambers into the arteries.
  • Diastole: The phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes and allows the chambers to fill with blood.
  • Intercostal space: The space located between two adjacent ribs.
  • Midclavicular line: An imaginary vertical line on the body surface, running down from the midpoint of the clavicle (collarbone).

See Also

External links

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