In which artery is blood pressure typically checked?

Blood pressure is typically checked in the brachial artery because it is located in the upper arm, which is an accessible and appropriate site for measuring systemic blood pressure. The brachial artery lies deep to the bicep muscle, and when a healthcare professional applies pressure with a sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff), it provides an accurate reading of the pressure exerted by circulating blood against the arterial walls.

This method is standardized for assessing blood pressure in a clinical setting as it reflects the average pressure in the larger arterial system, providing a reliable indication of a person's cardiovascular health. The other arteries listed—such as the carotid, femoral, and radial—may be used in specific situations or for alternative assessments but are not the standard for routine blood pressure measurement. Each of these sites may offer different insights, but the brachial artery is the most clinically recognized site for this purpose.