RADIAL ARTERY. 



293 



In the upper half of its course, the radial artery is situated between 

 the supinator longus muscle, by which it is overlapped superiorly, 

 and the pronator radii teres ; in the lower half, between the tendons 

 of the supinator longus and flexor carpi radialis. It rests in its 

 course downwards, upon the supinator brevis, proriator radii teres, 

 radial origin of the flexor sublimis, flexor longus pollicis, and pro- 

 nator quadratus ; and is covered in by the integument and fasciae. 

 At the wrist it is situated in contact with the dorsal carpal liga- 

 ments and beneath the extensor tendons of the thumb ; and in the 

 palm of the hand, beneath the flexor tendons. It is accompanied 

 by venae cornites throughout its course, and for its middle third is 

 in close relation with the radial nerve. 



Plan of the relations of the Radial Artery in the fore-arm. 



In Front. 

 Deep fascia, 

 Supinator longus. 



Inner Side, 

 Pronator radii teres, 



Flexor carpi radialis. 



Radial Artery. 



Outer Side. 

 Supinator longus, 

 Radial nerve (middle third 

 of its course). 



Behind. 



Supinator brevis, 

 Pronator radii teres, 

 Flexor sublimis digitorum, 

 Flexor longus pollicis, 

 Pronator quadratus, 

 Wrist-joint. 



The Branches of the radial artery may be arranged into three 

 groups, corresponding with the three regions, the fore-arm, the wrist, 

 and the hand ; they are 



n 

 Fcre-arm, 



Wrist, 



Hand, 



Recurrent radial, 



Muscular. 



Superficialis volae, 



Carpalis anterior, 



Carpalis posterior, or dorsalis carpi, 



Metacarpalis, 



Dorsales pollicis. 



Princeps, or magna pollicis, 



Radialis indicis, 



Interosseae, 



Perforantes. 



The Recurrent branch is given off immediatly below the elbow ; 

 it ascends in the space between the supinator longus and brachialis 

 anticus to supply the joint, and inosculates with the terminal branches 

 of the superior profunda. This vessel gives off numerous muscular 

 branches. 



The Muscular branches are distributed to the muscles on the radial 

 side of the fore-arm. 



The Superficialis voice is given off from the radial artery while at 



