human anatomy The human body is the structure of a human being. It is composed of many different types of cells that together create tissues and subsequently organ systems. They ensure homeostasis and the viability of the human body. It comprises a hea ...

, the dorsalis pedis artery (dorsal artery of foot) is a

blood vessel The blood vessels are the components of the circulatory system that transport blood throughout the human body. These vessels transport blood cells, nutrients, and oxygen to the tissues of the body. They also take waste and carbon dioxide awa ...

of the lower limb. It arises from the anterior tibial artery, and ends at the first intermetatarsal space (as the first dorsal metatarsal artery and the

deep plantar artery The deep plantar artery (ramus plantaris profundus; communicating artery) descends into the sole of the foot, between the two heads of the 1st interosseous dorsalis, and unites with the termination of the lateral plantar artery, to complete the p ...

). It carries oxygenated blood to the dorsal side of the

foot The foot ( : feet) is an anatomical structure found in many vertebrates. It is the terminal portion of a limb which bears weight and allows locomotion. In many animals with feet, the foot is a separate organ at the terminal part of the leg mad ...

. It is useful for taking a pulse. It is also at risk during anaesthesia of the

deep peroneal nerve The deep fibular nerve (also known as deep peroneal nerve) begins at the bifurcation of the common fibular nerve between the fibula and upper part of the fibularis longus, passes infero-medially, deep to the extensor digitorum longus, to the anter ...

Structure

The dorsalis pedis artery is located 1/3 from

medial malleolus A malleolus is the bony prominence on each side of the human ankle. Each leg is supported by two bones, the tibia on the inner side (medial) of the leg and the fibula on the outer side (lateral) of the leg. The medial malleolus is the promi ...

of the ankle. It arises at the anterior aspect of the ankle joint and is a continuation of the anterior tibial artery. It ends at the proximal part of the first intermetatarsal space. Here, it divides into two branches, the first dorsal metatarsal artery, and the

. It is covered by skin and fascia, but is fairly superficial. The dorsalis pedis communicates with the plantar blood supply of the foot through the deep plantar artery. Along its course, it is accompanied by a

deep vein A deep vein is a vein that is deep in the body. This contrasts with superficial veins that are close to the body's surface. Deep veins are almost always beside an artery with the same name (e.g. the femoral vein is beside the femoral artery). ...

, the dorsalis pedis vein.

Function

The dorsalis pedis artery supplies oxygenated blood to the dorsal side of the

Clinical significance

Pulse

The dorsalis pedis artery pulse can be palpated readily lateral to the extensor hallucis longus

tendon A tendon or sinew is a tough, high-tensile-strength band of dense fibrous connective tissue that connects muscle to bone. It is able to transmit the mechanical forces of muscle contraction to the skeletal system without sacrificing its ability ...

(or medially to the

extensor digitorum longus The extensor digitorum longus is a pennate muscle, situated at the lateral part of the front of the leg. Origin and insertion It arises from the lateral condyle of the tibia; from the upper three-quarters of the anterior surface of the body of ...

tendon) on the dorsal surface of the

, distal to the dorsal most prominence of the navicular bone which serves as a reliable landmark for palpation. It is often examined, by

physicians A physician (American English), medical practitioner (Commonwealth English), medical doctor, or simply doctor, is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through th ...

, when assessing whether a given patient has peripheral vascular disease. It is absent, unilaterally or bilaterally, in 2–3% of young healthy individuals.

Ultrasound

The dorsalis pedis artery may be studied using

ultrasound Ultrasound is sound waves with frequencies higher than the upper audible limit of human hearing. Ultrasound is not different from "normal" (audible) sound in its physical properties, except that humans cannot hear it. This limit varies ...

. Doppler ultrasound can be used to investigate blood flow.

Local anaesthesia

The dorsalis pedis artery is at risk when injecting anaesthetic into the

Ultrasound Ultrasound is sound waves with frequencies higher than the upper audible limit of human hearing. Ultrasound is not different from "normal" (audible) sound in its physical properties, except that humans cannot hear it. This limit varies ...

can be used to help to avoid the artery. The injection site is just lateral to the artery.

References

External links

* - "Arteries of the lower extremity shown in association with major landmarks."
Image at umich.edu
* http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_17/17-3.HTM {{Authority control Arteries of the lower limb