Lateral tarsal artery
Lateral Tarsal Artery[edit | edit source]
The Lateral Tarsal Artery is an important blood vessel located in the foot. It is a branch of the Dorsalis Pedis Artery, which is itself a continuation of the Anterior Tibial Artery. The Lateral Tarsal Artery supplies blood to various structures in the foot, including the lateral side of the tarsal bones and the adjacent soft tissues.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The Lateral Tarsal Artery arises from the Dorsalis Pedis Artery, just below the level of the ankle joint. It runs laterally, or towards the outer side of the foot, along the inferior extensor retinaculum. As it courses along the foot, it gives off several branches that supply blood to different structures.
One of the main branches of the Lateral Tarsal Artery is the Arcuate Artery, which runs in a curved manner around the tarsal bones. This artery provides blood to the lateral side of the tarsal bones and the surrounding soft tissues.
Another important branch is the Dorsal Metatarsal Artery, which supplies blood to the dorsal aspect of the metatarsal bones. This artery further divides into smaller branches that provide blood to the adjacent toes.
Function[edit | edit source]
The Lateral Tarsal Artery plays a crucial role in maintaining adequate blood supply to the lateral side of the foot. It ensures proper oxygenation and nutrient delivery to the tarsal bones and the surrounding soft tissues, which is essential for their normal functioning.
The blood supplied by the Lateral Tarsal Artery also helps in the removal of waste products and toxins from these structures. This ensures the overall health and well-being of the foot.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
In certain medical conditions, the Lateral Tarsal Artery may become compromised, leading to reduced blood flow to the lateral side of the foot. This can result in various symptoms, including pain, swelling, and impaired function.
One such condition is Lateral Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, which is characterized by compression or entrapment of the Lateral Tarsal Artery and its accompanying nerves. This can cause pain, numbness, and tingling sensations along the lateral aspect of the foot.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
