The apex beat, also known as the point of maximum impulse, is the farthest point on the chest wall where the heart's impulse can be felt during systole. In adults, the normal apex beat is located in the fifth intercostal space along the midclavicular line, while in children it is found in the fourth intercostal space medially from the nipple. The location of the apex beat can be abnormal, such as on the right side in cases of dextrocardia.