Dorsalis Pedis Artery: Difference between revisions

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==  Palpation of the dorsalis pedis artery pulse  ==
==  Palpation of the dorsalis pedis artery pulse  ==


The dorsalis pedis artery pulse can be palpated lateral to the extensor hallucis longus tendon (or medially to the extensor digitorum longus tendon) on the dorsal surface of the foot, distal to the dorsal most prominence of the navicular bone which serves as a reliable landmark for palpation. It is often examined, by physicians, when assessing whether a given patient has peripheral vascular disease. It is absent, unilaterally or bilaterally, in 2–3% of young healthy individuals.<ref name=":0" />   
The dorsalis pedis artery pulse can be palpated lateral to the extensor hallucis longus tendon (or medially to the extensor digitorum longus tendon) on the dorsal surface of the foot, distal to the dorsal most prominence of the navicular bone which serves as a reliable landmark for palpation. It is often examined, by physicians, when assessing whether a given patient has peripheral vascular disease. It is absent, unilaterally or bilaterally, in 2–3% of young healthy individuals.<ref>Moore KL, Dalley AF. ''Clinically Oriented Anatomy.'' Fifth edition. Philadelphia: Lippincot Williams & Wilkins; 2006</ref>   


== Branches ==
== Branches ==


The branches of the dorsalis pedis artery are:<br>1. Lateral Tarsal<br>2. Medial Tarsal<br>3. Arcuate<br>4. First Dorsal Metatarsal<br>5. Deep Plantar
The branches of the dorsalis pedis artery are:
 
# '''Lateral tarsal artery:''' ''(a. tarsea lateralis''; tarsal artery) arises from the dorsalis pedis as it crosses the navicular bone. It passes in an arched direction lateralward, lying upon the tarsal bones, and covered by the Extensor digitorum brevis. It supplies this muscle and the articulations of the tarsus, and anastomoses with branches of the arcuate, anterior lateral malleolar and lateral plantar arteries, and with the perforating branch of the peroneal artery.
The'''lateral tarsal artery''' (a. tarsea lateralis; tarsal artery) arises from the dorsalis pedis, as that vessel crosses the navicular bone; it passes in an arched direction lateralward, lying upon the tarsal bones, and covered by the Extensor digitorum brevis; it supplies this muscle and the articulations of the tarsus, and anastomoses with branches of the arcuate, anterior lateral malleolar and lateral plantar arteries, and with the perforating branch of the peroneal artery. 6<br> The '''medial tarsal arteries''' (aa. tarseæ mediales) are two or three small branches which ramify on the medial border of the foot and join the medial malleolar net-work.&nbsp;<br> The '''arcuate artery''' (a. arcuata; metatarsal artery) arises a little anterior to the lateral tarsal artery; it passes lateralward, over the bases of the metatarsal bones, beneath the tendons of the Extensor digitorum brevis, its direction being influenced by its point of origin; and its anastomoses with the lateral tarsal and lateral plantar arteries. This vessel gives off the second, third, and fourth dorsal metatarsal arteries, which run forward upon the corresponding Interossei dorsales; in the clefts between the toes, each divides into two dorsal digital branches for the adjoining toes. At the proximal parts of the interosseous spaces these vessels receive the posterior perforating branches from the plantar arch, and at the distal parts of the spaces they are joined by the anterior perforating branches, from the plantar metatarsal arteries. The fourth dorsal metatarsal artery gives off a branch which supplies the lateral side of the fifth toe.&nbsp;<br> The '''first dorsal metatarsal artery''' (a. dorsalis hallucis) runs forward on the first Interosseous dorsalis, and at the cleft between the first and second toes divides into two branches, one of which passes beneath the tendon of the Extensor hallucis longus, and is distributed to the medial border of the great toe; the other bifurcates to supply the adjoining sides of the great and second toes.&nbsp;<br> The '''deep plantar artery''' (ramus plantaris profundus; communicating artery) descends into the sole of the foot, between the two heads of the first Interosseous dorsalis, and unites with the termination of the lateral plantar artery, to complete the plantar arch. It sends a branch along the medial side of the great toe, and is continued forward along the first interosseous space as the first plantar metatarsal artery, which bifurcates for the supply of the adjacent sides of the great and second toes.
# '''Medial tarsal artery:''' ''(aa. tarseæ mediales)'' are two or three small branches on the medial border of the foot and join the medial malleolar network.&nbsp;
# '''Arcuate artery:''' (''a. arcuata; metatarsal artery)'' arises anterior to the lateral tarsal artery. It passes lateralward, over the bases of the metatarsal bones, beneath the tendons of the Extensor digitorum brevis, it's direction being influenced by its point of origin, and it's anastomoses with the lateral tarsal and lateral plantar arteries. This vessel gives off the second, third, and fourth dorsal metatarsal arteries.
# '''First dorsal metatarsal artery:''' ''(a. dorsalis hallucis)'' runs forward on the first Interosseous dorsalis, and at the cleft between the first and second toes divides into two branches.
# '''Deep plantar artery:''' ''(ramus plantaris profundus;'' communicating artery) descends into the sole of the foot, between the two heads of the first Interosseous dorsalis, and unites with the termination of the lateral plantar artery, to complete the plantar arch. It sends a branch along the medial side of the great toe, and is continued forward along the first interosseous space as the first plantar metatarsal artery, which bifurcates for the supply of the adjacent sides of the great and second toes. <ref name=":0" /><br>


== Significance  ==
== Significance  ==
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== References  ==  
== References  ==
 
3. The dorsalis pedis artery Surface Anatomy. OrthopaedicsOne Articles. In: OrthopaedicsOne - The Orthopaedic Knowledge Network. Created May 02, 2010 12:57. Last modified May 02, 2010 12:57 ver.4. Retrieved 2017-01-13, from http://www.orthopaedicsone.com/x/vgT5AQ.
 
4. Henry Gray (1821–1865). Anatomy of the Human Body. 1918.<br>http://www.bartleby.com/107/161.html


[[Category:Anatomy]]  
[[Category:Anatomy]]  

Revision as of 20:51, 23 May 2019

Description[edit | edit source]

The dorsalis pedis artery (dorsal artery of foot), is a blood vessel of the lower limb that carries oxygenated blood to the dorsal surface of the foot. It arises at the anterior aspect of the ankle joint and is a continuation of the anterior tibial artery. It passes from the ankle joint along the tibial side of the dorsum of the foot to the proximal part of the intermetatarsal space. There it divides into two branches, the first dorsal metatarsal artery and the deep plantar artery. [1] Along its course, it is accompanied by a deep vein, the dorsalis pedis vein. The extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum brevis and longus tendons also can also be located close by.

Peculiarities in Size[edit | edit source]

The dorsal artery of the foot may be larger than usual, to compensate for a deficient plantar artery. It's terminal branches to the toes may be absent, the toes then being supplied by the medial plantar artery or its place may be taken altogether by a large perforating branch of the peroneal artery.

 Palpation of the dorsalis pedis artery pulse[edit | edit source]

The dorsalis pedis artery pulse can be palpated lateral to the extensor hallucis longus tendon (or medially to the extensor digitorum longus tendon) on the dorsal surface of the foot, distal to the dorsal most prominence of the navicular bone which serves as a reliable landmark for palpation. It is often examined, by physicians, when assessing whether a given patient has peripheral vascular disease. It is absent, unilaterally or bilaterally, in 2–3% of young healthy individuals.[2]

Branches[edit | edit source]

The branches of the dorsalis pedis artery are:

  1. Lateral tarsal artery: (a. tarsea lateralis; tarsal artery) arises from the dorsalis pedis as it crosses the navicular bone. It passes in an arched direction lateralward, lying upon the tarsal bones, and covered by the Extensor digitorum brevis. It supplies this muscle and the articulations of the tarsus, and anastomoses with branches of the arcuate, anterior lateral malleolar and lateral plantar arteries, and with the perforating branch of the peroneal artery.
  2. Medial tarsal artery: (aa. tarseæ mediales) are two or three small branches on the medial border of the foot and join the medial malleolar network. 
  3. Arcuate artery: (a. arcuata; metatarsal artery) arises anterior to the lateral tarsal artery. It passes lateralward, over the bases of the metatarsal bones, beneath the tendons of the Extensor digitorum brevis, it's direction being influenced by its point of origin, and it's anastomoses with the lateral tarsal and lateral plantar arteries. This vessel gives off the second, third, and fourth dorsal metatarsal arteries.
  4. First dorsal metatarsal artery: (a. dorsalis hallucis) runs forward on the first Interosseous dorsalis, and at the cleft between the first and second toes divides into two branches.
  5. Deep plantar artery: (ramus plantaris profundus; communicating artery) descends into the sole of the foot, between the two heads of the first Interosseous dorsalis, and unites with the termination of the lateral plantar artery, to complete the plantar arch. It sends a branch along the medial side of the great toe, and is continued forward along the first interosseous space as the first plantar metatarsal artery, which bifurcates for the supply of the adjacent sides of the great and second toes. [1]

Significance[edit | edit source]

Lack of a dorsalis pedis pulse may be due to peripheral vascular disease, hypovolemia, or cardiac dysfunction.


References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Gray H. Anatomy of the Human Body. Twentieth edition. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1918 Available from: https://www.bartleby.com/107/161.html [Accessed on 23 May 2019]
  2. Moore KL, Dalley AF. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Fifth edition. Philadelphia: Lippincot Williams & Wilkins; 2006