Vessel
Radial artery
Thumb-side route from elbow to hand
High-yield
At the wrist its pulse is usually felt just lateral to the flexor carpi radialis tendon. This superficial location explains its use for arterial access, while its palmar connections link it to ulnar circulation.
Overview
One terminal branch of the brachial artery follows the lateral forearm toward the wrist. It then curves dorsally through the anatomical snuffbox and reaches the deep palm, where it makes the main contribution to the deep palmar arch.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Usually branches from the brachial artery in the cubital fossa
- Course
- Along the lateral forearm, over the snuffbox floor and between the heads of the first dorsal interosseous into the palm
- Branches
- Radial recurrent, carpal and superficial palmar branches; first dorsal metacarpal, princeps pollicis and radialis indicis vessels, with continuation into the deep arch
- Supplies
- Parts of the forearm and wrist, deep palm, thumb and adjacent hand territories through communicating arterial networks
Clinical correlation
The artery may be used for vascular access or a bypass graft. Clinicians assess the hand's alternative blood supply when relevant; the Allen test is one assessment, but its accuracy is imperfect and a normal result is not a guarantee of procedural safety.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the radial artery originate?
Usually branches from the brachial artery in the cubital fossa.
What does the radial artery supply?
The radial artery supplies the parts of the forearm and wrist, deep palm, thumb and adjacent hand territories through communicating arterial networks.
What are the branches of the radial artery?
Radial recurrent, carpal and superficial palmar branches; first dorsal metacarpal, princeps pollicis and radialis indicis vessels, with continuation into the deep arch.
What is the course of the radial artery?
Along the lateral forearm, over the snuffbox floor and between the heads of the first dorsal interosseous into the palm.