Pulsation

(pul-sa'-shun). Any beating or throbbing. The visible or sensible elevation of a ve el synchronously with or following the heart's beat; the pulse-beat. P., Abdominal, pulsation in the abdomen, usually in the median line. It is due to a pulsating aorta, q. v., or to aortic aneu or to the impulse transmitted to a tumor resting on the aorta. P., Carotid, pulsation of the c: arteries in the neck. It occurs in aortic regurgitation, exophthalmic goiter, anemia, and cardiac excitement P., Epigastric, pulsation in the epigastrium. It is seen in excitement of the action of the heart, in aneu of the aorta, in enlargement of the right heart, in tumors resting on the aorta; in hysteric and anemi. subjects the pulsation of the abdominal aorta m visible in the epigastrium. P., Hepatic, pulsation of the liver at each cardiac systole, due to insufficiency of the tricuspid valve, with a consequent transm of a pulse along the vena' cava. P., Retinal, pulsation of the retinal ve els, seen in the eye as a consequence of the disturbance of the relation between the intraocular and the extra ocular pre ure. P., Secondary, the contraction in the muscle of a muscle-nerve preparation ifits nerve is laid on a second contracting muscle. P., Stair-case, the increase in the length of succe ive contractions of a frog's heart that has been filled with serum. P., Supra sternal, pulsation at the supra sternal notch. It may be due to aneurysm, dilated aortic arch, or to the presence of an anomalous artery.