Medical expert of the article
New publications
Posterior artery of foot
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If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.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 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. At the rear of the foot goes to the first intercostal space, where it divides into terminal branches:
- the first dorsal metatarsals dorsalis I gives rise to the three posterior digital arches (aa., digitales dorsales) going to both sides of the back of the thumb and the medial side of the 2nd finger;
- the deep plantar artery (a. Plantaris profunda) passes through the first interlacing interval to the sole, perforating the first back interosseous muscle and anastomosing with the plantar arch.
The posterior artery of the foot also gives the tarsal arteries - lateral and medial (aa. Tarsales lateralis and medialis) to the lateral and medial edges of the foot and arched artery (a. Arcuata) located at the level of the metatarsophalangeal joints under the tendon of the short extensor of the fingers and anastomosing with the lateral metatarsal artery . From the arcuate artery to the fingers of the left II-IV rear metatarsal arteries (aa. Metatarsalis dorsales, II-IV), each of which at the beginning of the interdigital space is divided into two rear finger arteries (aa. Digitales dorsales), going to the backs of adjacent fingers II-V). From each of the back finger arteries through the interplanar gaps depart the perforating branches to the plantar metatarsus arteries.
[What do need to examine?