Dorsalis pedis

Artery of the foot

General Information
Latin	arteria dorsalis pedis
Greek
TA98
TA2
FMA
Details
System
Artery
Vein
Nerve
Lymphatic drainage
Precursor
Function
Identifiers
Clinical significance
Notes

The dorsalis pedis artery is a blood vessel of the lower limb that carries oxygenated blood to the dorsal surface of the foot. It is a continuation of the anterior tibial artery and is clinically significant for assessing peripheral circulation.

Anatomy

Origin

The dorsalis pedis artery originates as a continuation of the anterior tibial artery at the level of the ankle joint. It begins at the midpoint between the malleoli, which are the bony prominences on either side of the ankle.

Course

The artery travels along the dorsal aspect of the foot, running superficially over the tarsal bones. It is located lateral to the tendon of the extensor hallucis longus muscle and medial to the tendon of the extensor digitorum longus muscle. The dorsalis pedis artery is accompanied by the deep peroneal nerve.

Branches

The dorsalis pedis artery gives off several branches, including:

• The lateral tarsal artery, which supplies the lateral aspect of the foot.
• The arcuate artery of the foot, which runs laterally across the bases of the metatarsal bones and gives rise to the dorsal metatarsal arteries.
• The first dorsal metatarsal artery, which supplies the first intermetatarsal space.
• The deep plantar artery, which passes between the first and second metatarsal bones to contribute to the plantar arch.

Termination

The dorsalis pedis artery terminates by anastomosing with the deep plantar artery to form the plantar arch, which is a crucial component of the foot's blood supply.

Clinical Significance

Pulse Palpation

The dorsalis pedis artery is commonly used to assess the peripheral circulation of the lower limb. The pulse can be palpated on the dorsal surface of the foot, lateral to the tendon of the extensor hallucis longus. Absence of the dorsalis pedis pulse may indicate peripheral vascular disease or other circulatory issues.

Doppler Ultrasound

In cases where the pulse is difficult to palpate, a Doppler ultrasound can be used to assess blood flow in the dorsalis pedis artery. This is particularly useful in patients with diabetes mellitus or other conditions that affect peripheral circulation.

Surgical Considerations

The dorsalis pedis artery is sometimes used as a site for arterial cannulation or as a donor site for vascular grafting due to its accessibility and size.

Pathology

Peripheral Artery Disease

The dorsalis pedis artery can be affected by peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is characterized by the narrowing or blockage of arteries in the lower limbs. This can lead to claudication, pain, and in severe cases, gangrene.

Aneurysms

Although rare, aneurysms can occur in the dorsalis pedis artery. These are abnormal dilations of the artery that can lead to complications such as rupture or thrombosis.

See Also

• Arteries of the lower limb
• Foot anatomy
• Peripheral vascular examination