Branches Of The Radial Artery

in the forearm:

1. Radial recurrent artery:
Origin:
it arises right below the elbow.
Course:
It ascends between the two branches of the radial nerve,
Lying first on the supinator m.
Then between the brachialis m. and the brachioradialis m.
Then it anastomoses with the terminal branch of the profunda brachii artery.
Function:
Supplies the brachialis m. and the brachioradialis m.
Supplies the elbow joint.
Makes anastomoses with the terminal branch of profunda brachii artery.

2. Palmar carpal branch of radial artery:
Origin:
Arises at the lower border of the pronator quadratus m. and is a small vessel.
Course:
Passes across the carpal bones and makes anastomoses with the palmar carpal branch of the ulnar artery forming the palmar carpal arch.

This anastomosis is joined by a branch from the anterior interosseous artery and by recurrent branches from the deep palmar arch below.

Function:
Participates in the anastomose around the wrist.

3. Superficial palmar branch of radial artery:
Origin:
It arises from the radial artery, proximal to the flexor retinaculum.
Course:
it passes over the flexor retinaculum and enters the hand, and then passes over the thenar muscles,
then makes anastomoses with the superficial palmar branch of the ulnar artery and form the superficial palmar arch.

Function:
• Supplies the thenar muscles.
• Forms the superficial palmar arch by anastomosing with the corresponding branch of the ulnar artery.

At the wrist:

1. Dorsal carpal branch of radial artery:
Origin:
Crosses beneath the tendons of extensor thumb muscles.

Course:
It crosses the carpal bones transversely and towards the medial side of the hand where it anastomoses with the dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery and the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries and form the dorsal carpal arch.

Function:
Participates in the formation of the dorsal carpal arch.

2. First dorsal metacarpal artery:
Origin:
Arises just before the radial artery passes between the two heads of the first dorsal interosseous m. and divides into two branches.

Function:
The two branches supply the adjacent sides of the thumb and index.

Note: the lateral side of the thumb receives a direct branch from the radial artery aside from the other branches it receives.

In the hand:

1.Princeps pollicis artery:
Origin:
It arises from the radial artery just as it passes medially.

Course:
It passes between the oblique head of the adductor pollicis m. and the first dorsal inetrosseous m.
At the 1st metacarpophalangeal joint it divides into two digital branches, medial and lateral which supply the medial and lateral aspect of the thumb.

Function:
Main blood supply of the thumb.

2.Radialis indicis artery:
Origin:
It arises from the radial artery in the palm just after the origin of the princeps pollicis artery.

Course:
It courses distally along the lateral palmar aspect of the second metacarpal, between the first dorsal interosseous m. and the transverse head of the adductor pollicis m.
Then it anastomoses with the proper digital artery that’s supplying the medial side of the finger.

Function:
Supplies the lateral aspect of the index finger.

Note: The radialis indicis artery may arise directly from the princeps pollicis artery.

The radial artery also gives muscular branches:
They are small branches that supply muscles on the lateral aspect of the forearm, in particular the extensor muscles of the posterior compartment of the forearm.

The radial artery continues its course and joins the deep palmar branch of the ulnar artery to form the deep palmar arch.

check these pictures for more understanding of the branches:

References:

20th edition of Gray’s anatomy 1918.
12th edition Last's anatomy Chummy Sinnatamby.
Regional anatomy McClellan, George. The Region of the Forearm (2009). 1896 Vol. 1
Moore KL, Agur AMR, Dalley AF. Clinically oriented anatomy.
Standring S. 40th ed. London: Churchill Livingstone; 2009. Gray's Anatomy–The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice.
Epperson TN, Varacallo M. StatPearls StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): Jul 26, 2021. Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Brachial Artery.
RODRÍGUEZ‐NIEDENFÜHR, M., et al. "Median artery revisited." Journal of anatomy 195.1 (1999).
Moore KL, Agur AM, Dalley AF. Essential Clinical Anatomy, 4th Edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Noaman HH. Management and functional outcomes of combined injuries of flexor tendons, nerves, and vessels at the wrist. Microsurgery. 2007
Dethmers RS, Houpt P; Surgical management of hypothenar and thenar hammer syndromes: a retrospective study of 31 instances in 28 patients. J Hand Surg (Br). 2005
Sajja, Lokeswara Rao; Mannam, Gopichand; Pantula, Narasinga Rao; Sompalli, Sriramulu (June 1, 2005). "Role of Radial Artery Graft in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting". The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Cohen, Gideon; Tamariz, Miguel G.; Sever, Jeri Y.; Liaghati, Negin; Guru, Veena; Christakis, George T.; Bhatnagar, Gopal; Cutrara, Charles; Abouzahr, Labib (2001). "The radial artery versus the saphenous vein graft in contemporary CABG: a case-matched study". The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.