Plantar arch
Arcus plantaris
The deep arterial arch of the sole, where the lateral plantar artery meets the deep plantar artery coming down from the dorsum.
At a glance
- English
- Plantar arch
- Latin (TA2)
- Arcus plantaris
- System
- Artery
- Region
- Foot
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the plantar arch
The plantar arch, also called the deep plantar arch, is an arterial loop lying deep in the sole of the foot. It is an anastomosis between two different sources. The lateral plantar artery, from the posterior tibial artery, supplies its lateral and larger part, and the deep plantar artery, a branch of the dorsalis pedis, closes it on the medial side.
After crossing the sole obliquely, the lateral plantar artery reaches the base of the fifth metatarsal and turns medially. This turning portion is the arch. It runs across the foot from the fifth metatarsal to the proximal end of the first intermetatarsal space, curving with its convexity forwards. It lies deep, on the bases of the second, third and fourth metatarsals and the interosseous muscles, and above the oblique head of adductor hallucis. The deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve travels with it. At the first space it meets the deep plantar artery, which has come down from the dorsum between the heads of the first dorsal interosseous muscle.
From its forward convexity spring the plantar metatarsal arteries, which run towards the toes and divide into plantar digital arteries. From its upper side, three perforating branches pass up through the backs of the second to fourth spaces to join the dorsal metatarsal arteries. Articular twigs reach the tarsal and metatarsal joints.
The arch is the main supply of the deep sole, the metatarsal region and the toes. Because it links the anterior and posterior tibial territories, flow can continue to the forefoot when one of the leg arteries is blocked.
Course and supply
- Arises from
- The lateral plantar artery, turning medially at the base of the fifth metatarsal.
- Ends in
- Ends at the proximal part of the first intermetatarsal space by joining the deep plantar artery, a branch of the dorsalis pedis.
- Supplies
- Supplies the deep structures of the sole and, through its plantar metatarsal and digital branches, the toes; links the dorsal and plantar circulations.
Anthromica
See the plantar arch 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.
