Capillary pulse

Friedrich von Müller (1858 - 1941), a German internist, was the first to describe the capillary pulse on the uvula (Decker 2016).

A capillary pulse is the visualization of capillary ectasia in the context of aortic valve insufficiency (Lasserre 2002).

The capillary pulse can be visualized by applying light pressure to a fingernail (Herold 2023). The assessment is qualitative (Robert 2015).

A visible capillary pulse occurs with:

- Aortic valve insufficiency (Herold 2023)

The capillary pulse is caused by capillary ectasia in the context of aortic valve insufficiency (Lasserre 2002). It is caused by the changing transmural pressure and the so-called Brownian motion (Robert 2015), an undirected thermal movement of particles, gases or liquids (Max 2024).

A capillary pulse can be visualized on the fingernails, in the throat (on the uvula [Decker 2016) and on the lips using a microscope slide (Lasserre 2002).

1. Decker J, Ostendorf N, Antwerpes F (2016) Müller sign. DocCheck Flexikon doi: https://flexikon.doccheck.com/en/M%C3%BCller-sign#:~:text=Definition,compressed%20lips%20in%20severe%20aortic insufficiency.
2. Herold G et al (2021) Internal medicine. Herold Publishing House 178
3. Kasper D L, Fauci A S, Hauser S L, Longo D L, Jameson J L, Loscalzo J et al. (2015) Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. Mc Graw Hill Education
4. Lasserre A (2002) GK 2 Anamnesis and general medical examination: original examination questions with commentary. Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart / New York 170
5. Max R, Reh F, Antwerpes F, Ostendorf N (2024) Brownian motion. DocCheck Flexikon. doi: https://flexikon.doccheck.com/en/Brownsche_Bewegung
6. Robert Y C A (2015) Clinic of intraocular pressure. Walter de Gruyter Verlag GmbH Berlin / Boston Ch. 5.2.3.