Anterior tibial artery
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The anterior tibial artery (a. Tibialis anterior) extends from the popliteal artery in the popliteal fossa (at the lower edge of the popliteal muscle), enters the holocrooed canal and immediately leaves it through the anterior opening in the upper part of the interosseous membrane of the tibia. Then the artery along with the same veins and deep peroneal nerve descends the front surface of the membrane down and continues to the foot as the rear artery of the foot.
Branches of anterior tibial artery:
- Muscular branches (rr. Musculares) go to the muscles of the lower leg.
- The posterior tibial recurrent artery (a. Recurrens tibialis posterior) extends within the popliteal fossa, goes upward under the popliteal muscle, anastomizes with the medial lower knee artery, participates in the formation of the knee joint network; blood supply to the knee joint and popliteal muscle.
- The anterior tibial recurrent artery (a. Recurrens tibialis anterior) originates from the anterior tibial artery when it reaches the anterior surface of the tibia, goes up, perforates the anterior tibial muscle and anastomizes with the arteries that form the knee joint network. Takes part in the blood supply of the knee and inter-osseous joints, as well as the anterior tibial muscle and the long extensor of the fingers.
- The lateral anterior ankle artery (a. Malleolaris anterior lateralis) begins above the lateral ankle, goes to its anterior surface under the tendon of the long extensor of the fingers. Blood supply to the lateral ankle, ankle joint capsule and tarsus bone, takes part in the formation of the lateral ankle net (rete malleolare laterale); anastomoses with lateral ankle branches (from the peroneal artery).
- The medial anterior ankle artery (a. Malleolaris anterior medialis) departs from the anterior tibial artery at the level of the previous one, goes under the tendon of the anterior tibial muscle, sends the branches to the capsule of the ankle joint, anastomizes with the medial ankle branches (from the posterior tibial artery), participates in the formation of the medial ankle network.
[What do need to examine?