A fistula created from the vein of the thumb and the dorsal branch of the radial artery is called a “snuffbox” fistula, so called because the space between the extensor tendons of thumb forms a depression known as the anatomic snuffbox. This fistula is the longest fistula possible – in this case the vein goes all the way up the arm. Because the artery is so small so far out though, this fistula is prone to failure.