[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Upper limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/upper-limb/) › Radial artery [Cardiovascular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/cardiovascular-system/) · [Upper limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/upper-limb/) # Radial artery The radial artery runs down the thumb side of the forearm; its pulse is felt at the wrist, and it feeds the deep arch of the palm. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=upper_limb&select=radial_artery&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The forearm artery on the thumb side, felt at the wrist as the pulse. ## What it does Feeds the forearm and the deep palmar arch; a common site for pulse checks and blood gas samples. ## Key points - At the wrist it lies lateral to the flexor carpi radialis tendon, on the distal radius, covered only by skin and fascia: the radial pulse - In the anatomical snuffbox it lies on the [scaphoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scaphoid/) and the [trapezium](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/trapezium/), deep to the [APL and EPB tendons](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/abductor-pollicis-longus-and-extensor-pollicis-brevis-tendons/) and the EPL, then enters the palm between the two heads of the first dorsal interosseous - Main source of the [deep palmar arch](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/deep-palmar-arch/), while the [ulnar artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ulnar-artery/) is the main source of the [superficial palmar arch](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superficial-palmar-arch/) - The usual artery for angiography access and arterial lines; also harvested as a coronary bypass graft ## Key facts **Origin** [Brachial artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/brachial-artery/) bifurcation (cubital fossa) **Branches** Radial recurrent, palmar carpal, superficial palmar, dorsal carpal, princeps pollicis, radialis indicis; ends in the deep palmar arch **Supplies** Lateral forearm, thumb side of the hand; the wrist pulse ## Relations **Course** From the [cubital fossa](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cubital-fossa/) at about the neck of the [radius](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/radius/) it runs down the lateral forearm under cover of the [brachioradialis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/brachioradialis/), lies free between the brachioradialis and FCR tendons at the wrist, winds onto the back of the wrist through the snuffbox and passes into the palm **Lateral** Brachioradialis; the [superficial radial nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superficial-branch-of-the-radial-nerve/) beside it in the middle third of the forearm **Medial** [Pronator teres](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pronator-teres/) above; the [flexor carpi radialis tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-carpi-radialis-tendon/) at the wrist **Deep** From above down: biceps tendon, [supinator](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/supinator/), pronator teres insertion, FDS radial head, [flexor pollicis longus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-pollicis-longus/), [pronator quadratus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pronator-quadratus/) and the distal radius **Superficial** Brachioradialis overlaps it above; at the wrist only [skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/) and fascia; in the snuffbox the [cephalic vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cephalic-vein/) and branches of the superficial radial nerve cross over it ## How to find it Its forearm course follows a line from the middle of the cubital fossa to the radial styloid. With the forearm supinated, it is felt just lateral to the FCR tendon over the distal radius, and deep in the snuffbox with the thumb extended (distal radial access site). Before puncture or harvest, the hand's dual supply through the palmar arches is checked. ## Examination - Allen test: both wrist arteries are compressed while the fist is clenched and opened until the palm blanches, then only the ulnar artery is released; prompt return of colour means the ulnar artery and arches can supply the hand, a delay suggests an incomplete arch or poor ulnar flow - Barbeau test: a pulse oximeter on the thumb or index finger records the waveform while the radial artery is compressed; a persisting waveform shows collateral flow from the ulnar side ## On imaging Doppler ultrasound shows it at the wrist lateral to the flexor carpi radialis tendon. It guides arterial lines and transradial catheter access, checks size and patency before use as a coronary bypass graft or forearm flap, and detects occlusion after cannulation. Ultrasound or pulse oximetry can complement the modified Allen test. ## Common problems - Used for pulse checks, arterial blood samples and catheter access for heart procedures. - Can be harvested as a graft for heart bypass surgery. - Lies right beside the FCR tendon, so surgeons protect it in the volar wrist approach. ## How it is diagnosed The pulse at the wrist; the Allen test or ultrasound checks that the ulnar artery can supply the hand alone. ## Treatment - Repair if cut. - Protected during distal radius plating. ## Clinical notes - Transradial access for angiography: the artery is superficial and easy to compress, with fewer bleeding complications than the femoral route; occlusion afterwards is a known complication, usually silent when the arches are complete - Distal radial access in the snuffbox enters the artery beyond the origin of its superficial palmar branch - Coronary bypass graft: it is harvested from the forearm, sparing the [lateral forearm skin nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-antebrachial-cutaneous-nerve/) (lateral antebrachial cutaneous) and the superficial radial nerve; ulnar supply is confirmed first - Radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula at the wrist, joining it to the cephalic vein, is the classic first access for hemodialysis - The radial forearm free flap carries skin on this artery and is widely used in [head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) reconstruction ## Anatomical variants - High origin (brachioradial artery): it arises from the brachial or [axillary artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/axillary-artery/), one of the most common arterial variants of the arm; often superficial and narrow, it can complicate radial access - Loops, marked tortuosity and a small calibre in the forearm are other findings met during radial access ## Development Appears late, as a branch of the brachial part of the [axis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/axis/) artery, after the median artery has served as the main forearm vessel. Branching from a higher point on that stem gives the high-origin radial artery seen at angiography. ## Related conditions - [Distal radius fracture (Colles)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/distal-radius-fracture/) - [Scaphoid fracture](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/scaphoid-fracture/) - [Ganglion cyst](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ganglion-cyst/) - [Raynaud phenomenon](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/raynaud-phenomenon/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Where is the radial pulse felt at the wrist? Lateral to the flexor carpi radialis tendon, on the distal radius, covered only by skin and fascia. ## On which bones does the radial artery lie in the anatomical snuffbox, and how does it enter the palm? On the scaphoid and trapezium; it enters the palm between the two heads of the first dorsal interosseous. ## What does the Allen test assess before radial artery access or harvest? Whether the ulnar artery and palmar arches can supply the hand: prompt return of colour after releasing only the ulnar artery; delay suggests an incomplete arch. ## Which palmar arch does the radial artery mainly form? The deep palmar arch; the ulnar artery mainly forms the superficial arch. ## What is the classic first dialysis access involving the radial artery? The radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula at the wrist, joining the radial artery to the cephalic vein. [Add to my cards (5)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/radial-artery/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** arteria radialis TA2 4641 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Arteria radial **English (TA2)** Radial artery ## Related - [FCR tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-carpi-radialis-tendon/) - [APL and EPB tendons](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/abductor-pollicis-longus-and-extensor-pollicis-brevis-tendons/) - [Brachioradialis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/brachioradialis/) - [Flexor carpi radialis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-carpi-radialis/) - [ECRL](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/extensor-carpi-radialis-longus/) - [ECRB](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/extensor-carpi-radialis-brevis/) - [Radius](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/radius/) - [Scaphoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scaphoid/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Forearm Radial Artery](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546626/); [Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Forearm Arteries](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545155/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Development of the Vascular System (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain; Tratado de anatomía humana (9.ª ed.), tomo II, Libro IV Angiología, arterias subclavia, axilar, humeral, radial y cubital, arcos palmares y vías anastomóticas del miembro superior. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/radial-artery/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/radial-artery/