We use our hands so much throughout the day, don't we? We need healthy hands for everything we do, from writing to eating to drinking to working. So, for the muscles, nerves, and bones of these hands to function properly, they need to have a healthy blood supply that provides them with the oxygen and nutrients they need. There are two main blood vessels that provide this blood supply from our forearm to our hand. Today, we are going to talk about one of them, a blood vessel that many people have not heard of, but is very important.
Simply put, what is the Ulnar Artery?
The `Ulnar Artery` is a major artery in your hand, a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from your heart. It is one of two branches that branch off the `Brachial Artery`, the main artery in your arm. The other branch is the `Radial Artery`. You may remember that when doctors check your pulse, they feel the side of your wrist where your thumb is, and that is the `Radial Artery`. The `Ulnar Artery` is located on the opposite side, on the side of your arm where your little finger is .
To be precise, this blood vessel starts just below the bend of your elbow. It starts there, travels down your arm, and supplies blood to your hand and fingers through your wrist.
What is the main function of this blood vessel?
The main and most important function of the `Ulnar Artery` is to supply oxygen-rich blood to various parts of your arm and hand. As part of our body's circulatory system, if this blood vessel does not function properly, it can have a major impact on the function of the hand.
The following parts receive blood supply mainly from this artery:
- Forearm muscles: Muscles that help bend, extend, and rotate the arm.
- Wrist bones and joints: Keep your wrists healthy.
- Hand and fingers: Especially on the side of the little finger and ring finger.
- Ulnar nerve: A nerve important for sensation and movement in the hand.
What diseases can be associated with this blood vessel?
The most common and major condition affecting the `Ulnar Artery` is Ulnar Artery Thrombosis . Simply put, this is when a blood clot forms inside this blood vessel, obstructing blood flow .
The main cause of this condition is continuous pressure or trauma to the hand, especially the wrist. This is why this condition is also called `(Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome)`.
Imagine a carpenter, a mechanic working in a garage, or someone working in the construction industry who constantly uses a tool like a hammer. Or when operating a machine, they keep pressing down with their palm. When these same movements are repeated over a long period of time, the `Ulnar Artery`, which is located under the soft tissue on the side of the little finger of the hand, can be damaged. This damage weakens the blood vessel wall, making it more likely for a blood clot to form there.
If this blood clot completely or partially blocks the blood vessel, the blood supply to the tissues beyond, especially the fingers, is disrupted.
What are the symptoms? How do we recognize this?
We can recognize some of the symptoms that occur when blood flow in the `Ulnar Artery` is obstructed. If you are experiencing something like this, it is very important to take care of it.
| Symptom | How does that feel? |
|---|---|
| Fingers turning pale or blue | The little finger and ring finger in particular become pale, sometimes turning blue. This can be made worse by exposure to cold. This is because the blood is not flowing properly. |
| Numbness in the hand or fingers | There is a feeling of numbness and a loss of sensation in that part of the hand. It's like when the blood flow stops. |
| Tingling | You may feel a tingling sensation, as if you are being pricked by needles, at the fingertips. |
| Wrist pain | There may be pain in the area where the blood vessel is blocked. |
| Difficulty holding something firmly in the hand | Grip strength decreases. You may find it difficult to hold something firmly. |
Do you need to see a doctor?
Yes, definitely.
If you have one or more of the symptoms mentioned above, don't just stay home and think, "It'll go away in a few days." Low blood pressure can be serious. So see your doctor as soon as possible. He or she will examine you and, if necessary, refer you for further tests to find out exactly what is causing this.
What can be done to keep this blood vessel and the entire circulatory system healthy?
It is not just a problem with the `Ulnar Artery`, but it is very important to keep all the blood vessels in our body healthy. There are some simple lifestyle habits we can follow for that.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Maintain a healthy body weight that is appropriate for your height and age. Being overweight is not good for your blood vessels.
- Cholesterol control: When the level of bad cholesterol in the blood increases, it can deposit inside the blood vessels and cause them to become thinner. Therefore, reduce oil and fried foods and eat more vegetables, fruits, and greens.
- Blood pressure control: High blood pressure is a big enemy of blood vessels. Check your blood pressure regularly and take the medication your doctor prescribes exactly.
- Regular exercise: Do some exercise like walking, running, or swimming for at least 30 minutes a day. This improves blood circulation throughout the body.
- Diabetes and heart disease control: If you have other medical conditions like diabetes mellitus or heart disease, control them well according to your doctor's instructions.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking is very harmful to blood vessels. It damages the walls of blood vessels, making them thinner, and making them more likely to form blood clots. If you are a smoker, the best thing you can do for your body is to try to quit.
Is there a connection between Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and this?
Many people think of ``Carpal Tunnel Syndrome'' when they experience numbness in their hands. However, ``Ulnar Artery'' and ``Carpal Tunnel Syndrome'' are two completely different problems .
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve, which runs through the wrist, is compressed. However, the ulnar artery does not pass through the carpal tunnel. It travels through a separate passageway. Therefore, these two conditions should not be confused. Although the symptoms are similar, the cause and treatment are completely different.
Take-Home Message
- The `Ulnar Artery` is a very important blood vessel that supplies blood to your arm, wrist, and hand.
- Continuous pressure or trauma to the same part of the hand (e.g., using a hammer) can damage this blood vessel and cause a blood clot to form, causing a condition called ``Ulnar Artery Thrombosis.''
- If you have paleness, numbness, pins and needles, or pain in your little finger or ring finger, it could be a sign of a problem with this blood vessel.
- Don't ignore symptoms like these, see a doctor immediately .
- Following a healthy lifestyle helps protect not only this blood vessel, but your entire heart and circulatory system.
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