The venous system of the lower limbs is composed of deep veins (which run between the muscles) and superficial veins (which constitute a complex network just below the skin). Finally, the posterior tibial artery supplies the posterior and lateral leg as well as the plantar surface of the foot. The peroneal artery supplies the muscles of the lateral leg and the posterior foot.
The metatarsal branches supply the dorsal interosseous muscles of the foot. The first dorsal metatarsal artery branches directly off the dorsalis pedis. The arcuate artery branches at the level of the 1st tarsal-metatarsal joint and courses over the metatarsals 2 to 4 to give rise to the dorsal metatarsal arteries 2 to 4.
The dorsalis pedis has three lateral branches: the proximal and distal tarsal arteries, the arcuate artery, and two medial branches called the medial tarsal arteries. The dorsalis pedis continues under the extensor hallucis longus and passes between it and the extensor digitorum longus. This artery is commonly palpated for a pedal pulse. Once the anterior tibial artery passes under the extensor retinaculum, it becomes the dorsalis pedis. The anterior tibial artery continues distally to supply the anterior and dorsal portions of the foot. The three branches from proximal to distal are the anterior tibial artery, peroneal artery, and posterior tibial artery. The popliteal artery branches off the large superficial femoral artery and gives rise to the three main branches supplying the lower leg and foot. The blood supply to the foot begins primarily with the popliteal artery.
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