What are the plantar arteries and where do they come from?

The plantar arteries are the terminal branches of the posterior tibial artery, supplying blood to the sole of the foot. They consist of the medial plantar artery (smaller) and the lateral plantar artery (larger), which emerge in the sole and form the plantar arch.

What is the difference between the medial and lateral plantar arteries?

The medial plantar artery is the smaller terminal branch, running with the medial plantar nerve and giving branches to the big toe. The lateral plantar artery is larger, curves to form the plantar arch, and supplies muscles, skin, and has anastomotic branches.

What is the plantar arch and what does it do?

The plantar arch is an arterial loop formed by the lateral plantar artery and completed by the dorsalis pedis artery. It runs between the third and fourth layers of the sole and gives off branches like plantar metatarsal and perforating arteries to supply the toes and connect with dorsal arteries.

What are the branches of the plantar arch?

The plantar arch branches include four plantar metatarsal arteries ending as digital arteries, and proximal and distal perforating arteries connecting to the dorsal arterial system. These supply the toes and ensure blood flow through 'windows of the sole'.

What structures accompany the plantar arteries and arch?

The medial plantar artery is accompanied by the medial plantar nerve. The plantar arch runs with the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve in its concavity, aiding in coordinated nerve and blood supply to the sole.

What are the 'windows of the sole'?

The 'windows of the sole' refer to the passages for the proximal and distal perforating arteries that connect the plantar and dorsal arterial systems in the foot. They allow blood flow between these networks through intermetatarsal spaces.

How does the plantar arterial system relate to other foot structures?

The plantar arteries are linked to key foot structures: they originate from the posterior tibial artery and connect with the dorsalis pedis artery to form the arch, and they run near nerves like the medial and lateral plantar nerves and supply muscles and skin in the sole.

Plantar Arteries – Medial, Lateral & Plantar Arch

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