Malleolar artery

Malleolar artery

The arteries of the lower extremity. Posterior view. (Malleolar artery not labeled, but region is visible.)

The Malleolar artery is a small branch of the anterior tibial artery that supplies blood to the ankle joint. It is named for its location near the malleolus, a bony prominence on the side of the ankle.

Anatomy

The malleolar artery originates from the anterior tibial artery, which is a branch of the popliteal artery. It travels down the front of the tibia, passing over the interosseous membrane and along the extensor retinaculum before reaching the ankle joint.

At the ankle, the malleolar artery divides into several smaller branches. These branches supply blood to the tibialis anterior muscle, the extensor digitorum longus muscle, and the extensor hallucis longus muscle, as well as the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the front and sides of the ankle.

Clinical significance

Because of its location, the malleolar artery can be affected by injuries to the ankle, such as ankle sprains or ankle fractures. Damage to the malleolar artery can lead to ischemia (lack of blood flow) in the tissues it supplies, potentially resulting in tissue death (necrosis).

See also

• Anterior tibial artery
• Ankle joint
• Malleolus