Arcuate artery of the foot
The arcuate artery of the foot (metatarsal artery) arises from dorsalis pedis slightly anterior to the lateral tarsal artery, specifically over the naviculocuneiform joint; it passes lateralward, over the bases of the lateral four metatarsal bones, beneath the tendons of the extensor digitorum brevis, its direction being influenced by its point of origin; and it terminates in the lateral tarsal artery. It communicates with the plantar arteries through the perforating arteries of the foot.
Arcuate artery of the foot | |
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Anterior tibial artery, dorsalis pedis artery and the muscles and bones of the leg seen from the front (arcuate arteries very faintly labeled at bottom center) | |
Details | |
Source | Arteria dorsalis pedis |
Branches | Dorsal metatarsal arteries |
Vein | Dorsal venous arch of the foot |
Identifiers | |
Latin | Arteria arcuata pedis |
TA98 | A12.2.16.051 |
TA2 | 4717 |
FMA | 44594 |
Anatomical terminology |
It runs with the lateral terminal branch of deep fibular nerve. This vessel gives off the second, third, and fourth dorsal metatarsal arteries.
It is not present in all individuals.[1]
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 637 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- DiLandro AC, Lilja EC, Lepore FL, et al. (2001). "The prevalence of the arcuate artery: a cadaveric study of 72 feet". J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 91 (6): 300–5. PMID 11420348.