THE DISTRIBUTION OF ARTERIES SUPPLYING THE DORSUM AND PLANTA OF THE FOOT / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

The arteries of the foot in one hundred Chinese adult specimens were dissected and examined. 1. The dorsalis pedis artery was absent in 4%, and it originated from an abnormal origin in 5%, its course and relationship with the tendon of the extensor hallucis longus and deep peroneal nerve were also described. 2. The anterior medial and anterior lateral malleolar arteries originated more commonly at the level of the ankle joint, and sometimes they may originate from the dorsalis pedis artery. 3. The origin and number of the medial tarsal artery were variable, but that of the lateral tarsal artery were more constant. 4. The arcuate artery was present in 35%, but only 17% was typical in form, from which the 2nd-4th dorsal metatarsal arteries were giving off. 5. The sources of the dorsal metatarsal arteries were the most variable. The first dorsal metatarsal arteries which arose from dorsal or plantar aspect were similar in percentages. The 2nd-4th dorsal metatarsal arteries often originated from the plantar aspect, but it was not uncommon that they came equally from dorsal and plantar aspects. 6. The artery of the tarsal sinus was usually present, it may be divided into two categories, namely the proximal and the distal artery, with their distinct origins and courses. 7. The arterial trunks in the sole of the foot were more constant. The posterior tibial artery usually branched into its two main branches near the lower border of the laciniate ligament. 8. The lateral plantar artery was greater than the medial in 82%. And 71% of the plantar arch was formed chiefly by the deep plantar branch of the dorsalis pedis artery. 9. The plantar metatarsal arteries originated usually from the plantar arch, sometimes the neighbouring arteries may have a common trunk. The course of the Ist-3rd plantar metatarsal arteries was constant, but that of the 4th may be variable. Finally, some questions about the arteries of the foot, present in previous literatures, were briefly discussed.