Today we are going to talk about a very important blood vessel in our hand that we don't think about much in our daily lives. This is what doctors call the Radial Artery . You may have heard this name before, when a doctor takes your wrist and feels your pulse. What exactly is this? What kind of service does it provide to our body? Let's talk about all this simply, in a way that you can understand.
What actually happens with this radial artery?
Simply put, the radial artery is like a small but very efficient pipeline that brings life to the forearm, palm, and fingers. Its main job is to carry the oxygen-rich, clean blood pumped by our heart and distribute it to these parts of the arm.
Think about it, every cell and tissue in our body needs oxygen to function. Just like a car needs gasoline. So, the main places that receive blood from this radial artery are:
- Elbow joint: Yes, this is the blood supply to your elbow.
- Forearm muscles: This is the muscle that provides strength to the forearm muscles. These muscles help when we swing our arms and lift weights.
- Index finger and thumb: This helps to supply blood to your index finger and thumb in particular. We use these two fingers for so many things, don't we?
- Radial Nerve: This is the main nerve that controls movement and sensation in the arm and hand. This nerve is also supplied by this artery.
- Wrist bones and joints: It also helps keep the small bones (carpal bones) and joints in your wrist healthy by supplying blood to them.
That means, this radial artery has a role in almost every little thing you do with your hands.
Where is the Radial Artery located?
You can also try to find this very easily. You have your elbow joint, that's where it starts on the inside. Then it goes down the arm, that is, along the forearm, to the side where the big toe is, this radial artery.
This is especially true just under the skin, not very deep. That's why doctors can easily feel your pulse by placing their hand on top of it on your wrist. If you ever look at the inside of your wrist (the thumb side), sometimes you can see a tiny blue or purple vein, right? That's where this artery runs. But the veins you see are veins, and the artery is a little bit underneath, but it's right there.
How does the radial artery branch?
This radial artery doesn't start alone. It also has a "mother." That's the brachial artery, a major blood vessel in our upper arm. It's like a tributary that starts from a big river.
Near the elbow joint, this brachial artery divides into two main branches.
1. Radial Artery
2. Ulnar Artery
The radial artery and the ulnar artery are like two friends, running parallel, that is, without touching each other, down the forearm and supplying blood to the palm and fingers. Together, these two keep the underside of our hands and palms healthy.
What diseases and conditions can affect the Radial Artery?
Generally speaking, the radial artery is very close to the skin, almost on the surface (superficial artery). Therefore, it is very unlikely to develop atherosclerosis, a condition in which fatty deposits build up inside the artery and narrow it, as is the case with the larger blood vessels leading to the heart. That's a good thing!
However, sometimes problems can arise.
- After catheter procedures: Doctors insert a small tube (catheter) through the radial artery for some heart procedures. In a small number of people who do this, there is a small chance that the artery will become blocked (occluded) .
- Nerve damage or numbness: As mentioned above, if the artery becomes blocked, sometimes numbness or nerve damage can occur in the hands and fingers.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This is a very rare condition, affecting less than 3 out of 100 people. It is caused by a problem with the radial artery, which compresses the nerves in the wrist.
But don't worry, these complications are very rare. Doctors are very careful about this.
What do doctors use the radial artery for?
You may not have heard of this, but doctors find this radial artery very useful. They use it for a lot of medical purposes.
- Heart tests and treatments (Transradial access): In the past, when doing some heart-related tests, for example, an angiogram , the femoral artery , a large blood vessel in the groin, was often used. However, when doing it there, sometimes there can be a little too much blood, making it difficult to walk for a few days. But now, because of the advancement in medical technology, these things are often done through the radial artery. We call this (Transradial access) . The advantages of this are:
- There is very little bleeding.
- It hurts less.
- You can go home from the hospital quickly. Sometimes you can even go home the same evening.
- The risk of complications is also low.
That's a great convenience, isn't it?
- Check your pulse and heart rate: This is something we all know. A doctor will place two or three fingers on your wrist, on the side of your thumb, to check your heart rate (pulse). That's what they're looking at, right on this radial artery.
- Check the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood: In some emergencies, or in patients with respiratory distress, it is necessary to check exactly how much oxygen and carbon dioxide is in the blood. The test is called an Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) . A blood sample is often taken from the radial artery.
- Accurately measure blood pressure: Patients in intensive care units need to have their blood pressure measured continuously and accurately. During this time, a small plastic tube (cannula) is inserted into the radial artery and connected to a machine. This is called arterial cannulation .
- For kidney dialysis: Some patients with kidney failure need dialysis to clean their blood. Sometimes, this radial artery is also used to create an AV fistula .
- Heart Bypass Surgery: Sometimes, when a blood vessel in the heart is blocked, bypass surgery requires the implantation of a new blood vessel. In such cases, there are cases where this radial artery is taken and used.
See how useful these little blood vessels are!
How can I protect my radial artery and the entire circulatory system?
To keep not only the radial artery, but all the blood vessels in our entire body, that is, the entire circulatory system, healthy, we need to add these things to our lives:
- Exercise most days of the week: It's a good idea to do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a day. This can be anything from walking, running, or cycling.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet: Eat more vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, and fish. Reduce foods high in oil, sugar, and salt as much as possible.
- If you smoke, quit today: Smoking is very harmful to blood vessels. It increases the chances of blood vessels becoming clogged and stiff.
Following these simple steps will go a long way in keeping your blood vessels healthy.
What time should I see a doctor?
Usually, there are no major problems with the radial artery. However, if you have one or more of these symptoms, it is wise to seek medical advice:
- As mentioned above, if you have numbness in your hand or forearm after undergoing a medical procedure (e.g., transradial access) through the radial artery.
- If something is hard to hold , if it feels like it's slipping out of your hands.
- If you feel like you've lost strength in your hand or if you have decreased sensation in your hand.
- If you just feel a tingling sensation in your hand or forehead for no reason.
It's best not to ignore things like this, right? It's important to see a doctor as soon as possible and find the cause.
Finally, things to remember
So, you probably now understand that the Radial Artery, which we've been talking about for so long today, is a very silent, yet extremely important blood vessel that supplies oxygenated, life-giving blood to the lower part of our arm, palm, and fingers.
Doctors often use this small artery for heart tests, such as heart catheterizations , and sometimes for heart bypass surgery .
Here's another amazing, and important, thing: Even if this radial artery is somehow damaged, or if it has to be removed for medical reasons, that other friend we talked about earlier, the Ulnar Artery, can still do the job of that radial artery! That means it can continue to supply blood to the hand. Isn't that also a wonderful design of nature?
Therefore, let us all take more care of our health, considering how valuable and how much service these little things in our bodies are to our lives. There is nothing more valuable than being healthy!
` Radial Artery, Radial Artery, Blood Vessels, Arm Veins, Heart Health, Blood Circulation, Checking Pulse
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