Anatomy mini-lesson. In our forearm, the blood circulates inside two arteries: the radial artery (this is the one we touch to take a person’s pulse: it passes through the middle of the inside of the wrist ) and the ulnar artery (which begins at the elbow crease and reaches the middle of the palm of the hand).
But according to a recent study conducted by two Australian universities, more and more human beings have a third artery in the forearm: the median artery.
This “new artery” does not come from nowhere: it is present in utero, during the development of the fetus, and allows more oxygen to be given to the growing hands and fingers. Except that about 8 weeks after the baby is born, the median artery is supposed to regress until it disappears…
An increased risk of carpal tunnel syndrome
Yes, but here it is: according to the Australian researchers (who published their work in the Journal of Anatomy), more and more adults would still have a median artery. Its prevalence”was about 10% among those born in the mid-1880s, compared to 30% among those born in the late 20th century. This is therefore a significant increase over a fairly short period of time. (…) If this trend continues, a majority of people will have a median artery in their forearm by 2100.“
If the researchers do not really explain this phenomenon (it could be a question of genetic mutations), they nevertheless point out that the presence of an additional artery in the forearm could be the cause of health problems. Thus, there could be an increased risk of carpal tunnel syndrome: this occurs when the median nerve (this is the main nerve in the hand) gets stuck in a tunnel that is too narrow for it: carpal tunnela bony and fibrous tunnel that is located at the base of the wrist.
Read also :
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: which professions are at risk?
- Carpal tunnel: gentle solutions to relieve it
- TMS: treating pain with chiropractic
