Medical expert of the article
New publications
Arteries of the lower extremity
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.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 femoral artery (a. femoralis) is a continuation of the external iliac artery, passes under the inguinal ligament (through the vascular lacuna) lateral to the vein of the same name, follows the iliopectineal groove downwards, being covered (in the femoral triangle) only by fascia and skin. In this place, the pulsation of the femoral artery can be felt, then the artery enters the adductor canal and leaves it in the popliteal fossa.
The popliteal artery (a. poplitea) is a continuation of the femoral artery. At the level of the lower edge of the popliteal muscle, it divides into its terminal branches - the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.
The posterior tibial artery (a. tibialis posterior) is a continuation of the popliteal artery, passes through the tibialis popliteal canal, which leaves under the medial edge of the soleus muscle. Then the artery deviates to the medial side, goes to the medial malleolus, behind which in a separate fibrous canal under the retainer of the flexor tendons it passes to the sole. At this point, the posterior tibial artery is covered only by fascia and skin.
The anterior tibial artery (a. tibialis anterior) branches off from the popliteal artery in the popliteal fossa (at the lower edge of the popliteal muscle), enters the tibia-popliteal canal and immediately leaves it through the anterior opening in the upper part of the interosseous membrane of the leg. Then the artery, together with the veins of the same name and the deep peroneal nerve, descends along the anterior surface of the membrane downwards and continues onto the foot as the dorsal artery of the foot.
The dorsalis pedis artery is a continuation of the anterior tibial artery and runs anteriorly from the ankle joint between the tendons of the long extensor of the fingers in a separate fibrous canal. At this point, the artery lies under the skin and is accessible for determining the pulse.
The arteries of the pelvis and lower limb are characterized by the presence of anastomoses between the branches of the iliac, femoral, popliteal and tibial arteries, which provide collateral flow of arterial blood and blood supply to the joints. On the plantar side of the foot, as a result of anastomosis of the arteries, there are two arterial arches. One of them, the plantar arch, lies in the horizontal plane. This arch is formed by the terminal section of the lateral plantar artery and the medial plantar artery (both from the posterior tibial artery). The second arch is located in the vertical plane. It is formed by an anastomosis between the deep plantar arch and the deep plantar artery, a branch of the dorsal artery of the foot. The presence of these anastomoses ensures the passage of blood to the toes in any position of the foot.
[ 1 ]