Calcaneal branches of posterior tibial artery
Rami calcanei arteriae tibialis posterioris
Small branches of the posterior tibial artery near the medial ankle that pierce the flexor retinaculum to supply the medial and plantar heel.
At a glance
- English
- Calcaneal branches of posterior tibial artery
- Latin (TA2)
- Rami calcanei arteriae tibialis posterioris
- System
- Artery
- Region
- Foot
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the calcaneal branches of posterior tibial artery
The calcaneal branches of the posterior tibial artery, often called the medial calcaneal branches, arise from the artery behind the medial malleolus, shortly before it divides into the medial and lateral plantar arteries. At this point the posterior tibial artery lies in the tarsal tunnel, beneath the flexor retinaculum, alongside the tibial nerve and the tendons of the deep calf muscles.
There are usually several branches. They pierce the flexor retinaculum and spread over the medial side of the calcaneus and onto its plantar surface. They supply the skin and the dense, chambered fat pad of the heel, the periosteum of the bone and the origin of the small muscles there, including abductor hallucis. Their course runs with the medial calcaneal branches of the tibial nerve, which carry sensation from the same skin.
Behind and under the heel they join the calcaneal branches of the fibular artery to form the calcaneal anastomosis, so that the heel pad receives blood from both sides. They also connect with the medial malleolar branches around the ankle.
The heel pad carries the whole weight of the body at every step, and its blood supply matters when wounds or pressure ulcers occur there, or when flaps are raised to cover the heel. In surgery on the medial side of the ankle, such as release of the tarsal tunnel, the branches and the matching nerves are found close to the retinaculum and are protected.
Course and supply
- Arises from
- Arise from the posterior tibial artery behind the medial malleolus, in the tarsal tunnel, before its division into the plantar arteries.
- Ends in
- End in the calcaneal anastomosis over the medial and plantar heel.
- Supplies
- Supply the skin and fat pad of the medial and plantar heel, the calcaneal periosteum and the origin of abductor hallucis.
Anthromica
See the calcaneal branches of posterior tibial artery where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
