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Arteries of the lower limb
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The femoral artery (a. Femoralis) is the extension of the external iliac artery, passes under the inguinal ligament (through the vascular lacuna) lateral to the vein of the same name, follows the iliac comb downward, being covered (in the femoral triangle) with fascia and skin only. At this point, you can feel the pulsation of the femoral artery, then the artery enters the leading channel 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 is divided into its terminal branches - the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.
The posterior tibial artery (a. Tibialis posterior) serves as a continuation of the popliteal artery, passes in the shin-channel, which leaves under the medial edge of the soleus muscle. Then the artery deviates into the medial side, directed to the medial ankle, behind which, in a separate fibrous channel under the flexor tendon holder, passes to the sole. At this point, the posterior tibial artery is covered only with fascia and skin.
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.
The posterior artery of the foot (a.dorsalis pedis) is an extension of the anterior tibial artery, going 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 available to determine the pulse.
The presence of anastomoses between the branches of the iliac, femoral, popliteal and tibial arteries, which provide collateral arterial blood flow and blood supply of the joints, is characteristic for the pelvic and lower extremity arteries. On the plantar side of the foot as a result of anastomosing the arteries, there are two arterial arches. One of them - the plantar arch - lies in the horizontal plane. This arch forms the terminal part of the lateral plantar artery and the medial plantar artery (both from the posterior tibial artery). The second arc is located in the vertical plane. It forms an anastomosis between a deep plantar arch and a deep plantar artery - a branch of the dorsal artery of the foot. The presence of these anastomoses ensures the passage of blood to the fingers in any position of the foot.
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