Arteria radialis

Arteria Radialis is a major artery in the human body, specifically located in the forearm. It is one of the two main arteries that supply blood to the hand and forearm, the other being the ulnar artery. The arteria radialis is known for its accessibility and is commonly used in medical procedures such as arterial blood gas sampling and arterial line placement.

Anatomy

The arteria radialis originates from the brachial artery in the cubital fossa. It travels down the forearm on the lateral side (the same side as the thumb), and at the wrist, it crosses over to the back of the hand. It then forms the deep palmar arch, which supplies blood to the hand.

Clinical Significance

The arteria radialis is often used in medical procedures due to its superficial location and ease of access. It is commonly used for arterial blood gas sampling, where a sample of arterial blood is taken to measure oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. It is also used for arterial line placement, a procedure where a thin catheter is inserted into an artery to measure blood pressure in real-time.

The radial pulse, which can be felt by placing the index and middle finger over the arteria radialis at the wrist, is commonly used to assess heart rate and rhythm. It is also used in the Allen's test, a method to assess the arterial blood supply to the hand.

See Also

• Ulnar artery
• Brachial artery
• Allen's test