Värttinävaltimo

Värttinävaltimo, also known as the radial artery, is one of the two major arteries supplying blood to the forearm and hand. It arises from the brachial artery in the cubital fossa, the crease of the elbow. From the elbow, the värttinävaltimo travels down the lateral (thumb) side of the forearm, lying just beneath the skin and muscles. It is superficial in its upper two-thirds, making it easily palpable and accessible for medical procedures.

As it descends, the värttinävaltimo gives off several branches that supply the muscles and skin of the forearm. In the wrist region, it passes through the anatomical snuffbox, a triangular depression on the back of the hand, before entering the palm. Here, it forms the deep palmar arch, a crucial arterial network that supplies blood to the fingers and the intrinsic muscles of the hand. The other major artery of the forearm is the ulnaarivaltimo (ulnar artery), which runs along the medial (little finger) side. Together with the ulnaarivaltimo, the värttinävaltimo ensures adequate blood flow to the entire hand and its complex structures. The värttinävaltimo is commonly used for arterial blood gas sampling and can be a site for arterial catheterization due to its accessibility.