Deep plantar artery
Arteria plantaris profunda
A short branch of the dorsalis pedis that plunges into the sole through the first intermetatarsal space to complete the plantar arch.
At a glance
- English
- Deep plantar artery
- Latin (TA2)
- Arteria plantaris profunda
- System
- Artery
- Region
- Foot
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the deep plantar artery
The deep plantar artery is the link between the arteries on the back of the foot and those in the sole. It is one of the two terminal branches of the dorsalis pedis artery, which divides at the proximal end of the first intermetatarsal space; the other branch is the first dorsal metatarsal artery. Older texts also call it the communicating artery or the deep plantar branch.
From its origin it turns sharply downwards into the sole. It slips through the first dorsal interosseous muscle, between its paired heads, close to the bases of the first and second metatarsal bones. Having reached the plantar side, it meets the end of the lateral plantar artery, and the union of these two vessels closes the deep plantar arch on its medial side.
Near its junction the deep plantar artery gives a branch that runs along the medial border of the great toe, and then carries on forwards in the first space, where it is named the first plantar metatarsal artery. That vessel in turn divides into plantar digital arteries for the borders of the first and second toes that face each other.
Because it joins the dorsal and plantar circulations, the deep plantar artery allows blood to reach the sole from the front of the leg when the posterior tibial artery is narrowed, and the reverse. Surgeons dissecting in the first web space or raising a flap based on the dorsalis pedis must respect it.
Course and supply
- Arises from
- The dorsalis pedis artery, as one of its terminal branches at the proximal end of the first intermetatarsal space.
- Ends in
- Meets the end of the lateral plantar artery in the sole, completing the plantar arch, then runs on towards the toes as the first plantar metatarsal vessel.
- Supplies
- Connects the dorsal and plantar arterial systems and, through its continuation, supplies the great toe and the adjacent side of the second toe.
Anthromica
See the deep plantar 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.
