Why palpate the radial artery?
The palpability of the radial-artery wall was assessed before death in 43 patients and compared with the histology of the artery at necropsy. There was no relationship between the degree of palpability and the histological changes of atheroma or of Mönckeberg's sclerosis, or the presence of clinical vascular disease. It is suggested that palpation of the wall of the radial artery provides no useful clinical information.
D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply*; D001158:Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000473:pathology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010173:Palpation