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
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
SourceArteria dorsalis pedis
VeinDorsal venous arch of the foot
Identifiers
LatinArteria arcuata pedis
TAA12.2.16.051
FMA44594
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)

  1. 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.


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