Radial artery

Anatomy

Course
Originates from the brachial artery at the head of the radius, in the cubital fossa at the elbow. It runs along the lateral aspect of the forearm, passing deep to the brachioradialis muscle, running with a superficial branch of the radial nerve. It passes lateral to the flexor carpi radialis tendon and winds around the wrist. It passes between the heads of the first dorsal interosseous muscle. It passes anteriorly and becomes the deep palmar arch, which anastomoses with the deep branch of the ulnar artery.

Supply

Supplies the muscles on the lateral aspect of the forearm.

Clinical

The radial pulse can be felt on the lateral aspect of the forearm where it passes close to the flexor carpi radialis tendon, by gently pressing the artery against the underlying bone.

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