Radial dorsal digital artery

The radial dorsal digital artery of the pollex (thumb) (RDDAT; Radiodorsal digital artery of the thumb) or the dorsal radial artery of the thumb — is a small-caliber artery that courses along the dorsal aspect of the radial (lateral) side of the thumb, providing blood supply to the skin and soft tissues of that region.

Origin and course: This artery most commonly arises from the dorsal carpal arch or directly from the radial artery as it traverses the anatomical snuffbox. Over the trapezium, the radial artery gives rise to the dorsal carpal branch, which contributes to the dorsal carpal arch and supplies the dorsal metacarpal arteries, including the radiodorsal digital artery of the thumb. It may also originate from the first dorsal metacarpal artery (FDMA) as its radial branch, or less frequently from the first palmar metacarpal artery (princeps pollicis) via perforating branches.