THE ARTERIAL SUPPLY OF THE HUMAN METATARSALS / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

The arterial supply of the human metatarsals in 90 lower limbs,ranging in age from newborn to87 years,was studied by perfusion method. The blood supply of the metatarsals is derived from the nutrient artery,the periosteal arteries,the epiphyseo-metaphyseal arteries and the pseudoepiphyseal arteries. The proximal and distal branches of the nutrient artery supply the inner two-thirds or three-fourths of the cortex. The periosteal arteries give off a few twigs penetrating into the cortex and supplying the outer one-third or one-fourth of the cortex. The radiate form epiphyseo-metaphyseal arteries derived from superficial plexuses in continuity with the periosteal networks on the shafts, supply the base of the first metatarsal, and the heads of the other four. The pseudoepiphyseal arteries, penetrating the non-articular areas of the bones, supply the bases of the second, third, fourth and fifth metatarsals and the head of the first. The sources of the nutrient arteries to the metatarsal vary with the different bone . The nutrient arteries to first metatarsal bone usually originate from the ramus plantaris profundus and the first plantar metatarsal artery, while the nutrient arteries to the other metatarsal bones mainly derive from the plantar metatarsal arteries, the plantar arch and its perforating branches. The clinical significance of the arterial distribution to the metatarsals is discussed.