Dorsal metatarsal veins
Venae metatarseae dorsales
Veins on the top of the forefoot that collect blood from the toes and drain into the dorsal venous arch of the foot.
At a glance
- English
- Dorsal metatarsal veins
- Latin (TA2)
- Venae metatarseae dorsales
- System
- Vein
- Region
- Foot
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the dorsal metatarsal veins
The dorsal metatarsal veins are the superficial veins of the upper surface of the forefoot, one for each space between the metatarsal bones. Each is formed near a toe web by the union of the dorsal digital veins that drain the facing sides of two neighbouring toes. From there it runs backwards over the metatarsal region, in the subcutaneous tissue, to reach the dorsal venous arch.
The dorsal venous arch lies across the proximal part of the metatarsals, and it is the main collecting channel of the top of the foot. Its medial end continues upwards as the great saphenous vein, passing in front of the medial malleolus, and its lateral end becomes the small saphenous vein, passing behind the lateral malleolus. Through the arch the dorsal metatarsal veins therefore drain into both saphenous systems of the leg.
The veins are not isolated. Intercapitular veins pass upwards between the heads of the metatarsals and link them with the plantar venous network, so blood from the sole can drain to the dorsum when the foot is loaded during standing and walking. Deep dorsal metatarsal veins also accompany the dorsal metatarsal arteries beside the interosseous muscles and drain into the deep veins that run with the dorsalis pedis artery, and these are joined to the superficial system by small perforating veins.
Because they lie just under thin skin, the dorsal metatarsal veins and the arch are easy to see on the top of the foot, especially when the leg hangs down. They are sometimes used for intravenous access when veins in the arm cannot be found, and they are a common site of swelling in conditions that raise venous pressure in the lower limb. Like other superficial veins of the leg, they contain valves that direct blood towards the heart.
Course and drainage
- Begins at
- Formed near each toe web by the union of the dorsal digital veins of adjacent toes.
- Drains into
- Drain backwards into the dorsal venous arch of the foot, which continues as the great and small saphenous veins.
- Drains
- Drain the skin and soft tissues of the back of the toes and forefoot, and receive blood from the sole through the intercapitular veins.
Anthromica
See the dorsal metatarsal veins 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.
