Dorsalis pedis artery
Arteria dorsalis pedis
The main artery on the back of the foot, continuing the anterior tibial artery from the ankle to the first intermetatarsal space.
At a glance
- English
- Dorsalis pedis artery
- Latin (TA2)
- Arteria dorsalis pedis
- System
- Artery
- Region
- Foot
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the dorsalis pedis artery
The dorsalis pedis artery, or dorsal artery of the foot, begins at the front of the ankle joint, where the anterior tibial artery changes its name, roughly midway between the two malleoli. It runs forwards over the talus, navicular and intermediate cuneiform towards the base of the first intermetatarsal space. There it splits in two: a deep plantar artery that dives into the sole and a first dorsal metatarsal artery that stays on the dorsum.
Along its course it is fairly superficial, covered only by skin, fascia and the inferior extensor retinaculum; near its end it is crossed by the tendon of extensor hallucis brevis. The tendon of extensor hallucis longus lies on its medial side and the first tendon of extensor digitorum longus on its lateral side. The deep fibular nerve runs with it, and paired veins accompany it.
Its branches include the medial and lateral tarsal arteries, which pass across the tarsus, and the arcuate artery, which arches laterally over the metatarsal bases and gives off the second to fourth dorsal metatarsal arteries. Through the deep plantar artery it joins the lateral plantar artery and completes the plantar arch, so the dorsal and plantar supplies of the foot are joined.
The dorsalis pedis pulse is felt on the dorsum of the foot just to the lateral side of the long extensor tendon of the great toe, beyond the most prominent point of the navicular. It is checked routinely when assessing peripheral arterial disease, although in a small number of healthy people it cannot be felt on one or both sides. Doppler ultrasound shows its flow, and ultrasound guidance helps avoid the artery when local anaesthetic is placed around the deep fibular nerve, which lies just lateral to it.
Course and supply
- Arises from
- Continues the anterior tibial artery at the front of the ankle joint, midway between the malleoli.
- Ends in
- Splits at the back of the first intermetatarsal space into a deep plantar artery and a first dorsal metatarsal artery.
- Supplies
- Supplies the dorsum of the foot and the dorsal surfaces of the toes, and through the deep plantar artery joins the plantar arch.
Anthromica
See the dorsalis pedis 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.
