Learning objectives

• Describe the routes and distributions of the following arteries.
  • popliteal
  • anterior tibial
  • posterior tibial
  • fibular/peroneal
  • dorsalis pedis
  • lateral plantar
  • medial plantar
  • deep plantar

Blood supply in the Leg and Foot

The deep femoral artery mainly supplied the thigh, whereas the femoral artery supplies the leg and foot. The femoral artery passes distally through the anteromedial thigh, then passes through the adductor hiatus, a gap in the adductor magnus muscle, to reach the posterior compartment of the thigh. The artery continues as the popliteal artery and ends just distal to the knee by bifurcating to form the anterior and posterior tibial arteries. Before bifurcating, the popliteal artery forms several branches that provide the collateral circulation around the knee joint (geniculate branches).

The anterior tibial artery passes through the interosseous membrane between the tibia and fibula to reach the anterior compartment of the leg, where it travels with the deep fibular nerve. The anterior tibial artery supplies the muscles in this compartment, then continues across the ankle to form the dorsalis pedis artery, which supplies the muscles on the dorsum of the foot.

The fibular artery branches off of the posterior tibial artery. The fibular artery travels in the posterior compartment with the posterior tibial artery, but supplies the lateral compartment muscles; it does not continue into the foot. The posterior tibial artery will travel posterior to the medial malleolus (with “Tom, Dick and Harry”)and bifurcate into the lateral and medial plantar arteries which will branch and supply the plantar aspect of the foot. These two arteries will anastomose via the deep plantar artery.

Below is a summary of the nerve and artery pairs that supply the compartments of the leg and in some cases, travel into the foot as well (though they might change names or branch further).