Radial Veins

venae radiales

The radial veins are a pair of deep veins (venae comitantes) that run alongside the radial artery in the forearm, linked by small cross channels. They begin from the deep palmar venous arch and the dorsal venous network of the hand. Near the elbow they join the ulnar veins to form the brachial veins.

Anatomical Data

Course & Branches

Origin	Deep palmar venous arch and the dorsal venous network of the hand
Course	Accompany the radial artery through the forearm, one on each side, and unite with the ulnar veins in the cubital fossa to form the brachial veins
Branches	Muscular veins of the lateral forearm Communications with the superficial veins and the interosseous veins

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The radial veins lie immediately beside the radial artery, so they are often punctured during radial artery access for angiography or arterial blood sampling, occasionally causing a small haematoma. When the radial artery is harvested as a coronary bypass graft, the venae comitantes are usually taken with it in a pedicle. They are also used in some forearm free flaps as the draining veins.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Forearm Haematoma After Radial Access

Puncture of the radial artery and its accompanying veins during catheter procedures can cause a forearm haematoma; large ones need monitoring for compartment syndrome.

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