Plantar artery

Plantar Artery

The plantar artery and its branches.

The Plantar Artery is a significant blood vessel in the foot. It is a branch of the Posterior Tibial Artery and is responsible for supplying blood to the plantar surface of the foot.

Anatomy

The plantar artery begins at the level of the ankle joint, where it branches off from the posterior tibial artery. It travels along the sole of the foot, giving off several branches along its course. These branches include the Lateral Plantar Artery and the Medial Plantar Artery, which supply blood to the lateral and medial aspects of the foot, respectively.

Clinical Significance

The plantar artery is an important structure in the foot, and its integrity is crucial for maintaining proper foot health. Damage to the plantar artery can lead to conditions such as Peripheral Artery Disease and Critical Limb Ischemia, which can cause pain, ulcers, and even gangrene in severe cases.

See Also

• Foot Anatomy
• Blood Vessels of the Lower Limb
• Peripheral Artery Disease
• Critical Limb Ischemia