FOREARM AND HAND 99 



The radial artery is usually selected for the determination of the ptdse. 

 By placing the tips of the fingers upon the distal part of the forearm, in 

 the interval between the tendons of the brachioradialis and flexor carpi 

 radialis, the pulsations of the vessel in the living person can readily be felt. 



Branches of the Radial Artery. In the forearm the 

 radial artery gives off the following branches, viz. : 



1. The a. recurrens radialis. 



2. The a. volaris superficialis. 



3. The a. carpeus volaris. 



4. Kami musculares. 



The rami musculares are very numerous, and proceed from 

 the radial artery at irregular points throughout its whole 

 course in the forearm. 



The arteria recurrens radialis is . a branch of some size. 

 It takes origin close .to the commencement of the radial 

 artery, and in the first instance runs laterally between the 

 brachioradialis and the supinator. Here 'it comes into 

 relation with branches coming from the .radial nerve, and 

 gives off several twigs for the supply of the muscles arising 

 from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. Somewhat 

 reduced in size, it now turns proximally in the interval 

 between the brachioradialis and brachialis, and ends, in 

 front of the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, by anastomos- 

 ing with the anterior terminal branch of the art. profunda 

 brachii. It may be represented by ..two or more vessels. 



The ramus volaris superficialis (O.T. art. superficialis volae) is 

 a small, variable branch, which arises a short distance proximal 

 to the wrist, and runs distally to end in the muscles of the ball 

 of the thumb. Sometimes, however, it attains a larger size 

 and a special importance, from its being continued into the 

 palm to complete the superficial volar arch on the lateral 

 side. 



The ramus carpeus volaris is a minute twig which springs 

 from the radial at the distal border of the pronator quadratus 

 muscle. It runs medially, under cover of the flexor tendons, 

 and joins the corresponding branch of the ulnar artery to 

 form the volar carpal arch. 



The Ramus Superficialis and the Ramus Profundus 

 of the Nervus Radialis (O.T. Radial and Posterior In- 

 terosseous Nerves). It has already been noted that the 

 radial nerve ends above the elbow, under cover of the brachio- 

 radialis muscle, by dividing into two terminal branches, 



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