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Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences: Human Structure Module
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  8. Artery Tables
  9. Arteries of the Lower Limb

Arteries of the Lower Limb

ArterySourceBranchesSupply toNotes
anterior lateral malleolaranterior tibial a.no named brancheslateral side of the ankleanterior lateral malleolar a. anastomoses with the posterior lateral malleolar
a. and the perforating br. of the fibular a.
anterior medial malleolaranterior tibial a.no named branchesmedial side of the ankleanterior medial malleolar a. anastomoses with the posterior medial malleolar
a.
anterior tibialpopliteal a.anterior tibial recurrent a., posterior tibial recurrent a., anterior malleolar
a., medial malleolar a., lateral malleolar a., dorsalis pedis a.
anterior leg; dorsum of foot and deep footanterior tibial a. becomes continuous with the dorsalis pedis a.; the name
change occurs at the level of the ankle joint
anterior tibial recurrentanterior tibial a.no named branchesanterior side of the knee and adjacent musclesanterior tibial recurrent a. anastomoses with the genicular aa. to participate
in the formation of the genicular anastomosis
aorta, abdominalthe continuation of the descending thoracic aortainferior phrenic aa. (2), celiac trunk, middle suprarenal aa. (2), lumbar
aa. (4 pairs), superior mesenteric a., renal aa. (2), testicular/ovarian aa.
(2), inferior mesenteric a., median sacral a., common iliac aa. (2)
abdominal wall; gastrointestinal tract; body below the level of the respiratory
diaphragm
abdominal aorta passes posterior to the diaphragm (aortic hiatus) at the
level of the T12 vertebral body
arch, plantar arteriallateral plantar a.plantar metatarsal aa. (4)deep foot; its plantar metatarsal brs. and their brs. supply the toes, including
the dorsum of the distal phalangeal segment
plantar arterial arch anastomoses with the deep plantar br. of the dorsalis
pedis a.
arcuatedorsalis pedis a.dorsal metatarsal aa. (3)dorsum of the foot, excluding the pollex and the distal phalangeal segments
of the digits
arcuate a. anastomoses with the lateral tarsal a.
circumflex femoral, lateraldeep femoral a.ascending br., transverse br., descending br.lateral thigh and hiplateral circumflex femoral a. arises from the femoral a. in ~14% of cases
circumflex femoral, medialdeep femoral a.ascending br., descending br.medial thigh and hip medial circumflex femoral a. arises from the femoral a. in ~20% of cases
circumflex fibularanterior tibialunnamed muscular branchesproximal portion of lateral legarises from the tibial a. before the tibial a. pierces the interosseous
membrane
circumflex iliac, superficialfemoral a.unnamed muscular branchessuperficial fascia of lower abdomen and thighsuperficial circumflex iliac a. crosses the upper thigh parallel to the
inguinal ligament
deep external pudendalfemoral a.unnamed muscular branchesorigins of pectineus m., adductor longus m.; scrotum/labium majusdeep external pudendal a. may arise from the medial circumflex femoral a.
deep femoralfemoral a.medial circumflex femoral a., lateral circumflex femoral a., perforating
aa. (3 or 4)
hip joint, proximal thigh, posterior thighdeep femoral a. is the primary blood supply to muscles of the posterior
compartment of the thigh
deep plantardorsalis pedisplantar metatarsal aa. (4)deep foot; its plantar metatarsal brs. and their brs. supply the toes, including
the dorsum of the distal phalangeal segment
anastomoses with lateral plantar a. to form the plantar arterial arch; the
branches mentioned at left arise from the plantar arterial arch
descending genicularfemoral a.saphenous br., articular brs.skin and superficial structures of the medial aspect of the knee and upper
leg
descending genicular a. anastomoses with the genicular brs. of the popliteal
a.
digital, proper plantarplantar metatarsal a., from the plantar arterial archno named branchesplantar aspect of each digit proper plantar digital aa. supply the dorsum of the distal phalangeal segment
and nail bed
dorsal digital, of footdorsal metatarsal a.no named branchesdorsal aspect of 1/2 digit, excluding the distal phalangeal segmentdorsal digital aa. do not supply the nail bed
dorsal metatarsaldorsalis pedis (1st), arcuate (2nd-4th)dorsal digital aa. (2)dorsum of digits, excluding the distal phalangeal segmenteach dorsal metatarsal a. gives off a perforating br. that anastomoses with
the plantar arterial arch
dorsalis pedisanterior tibial a.lateral tarsal a., medial tarsal a., arcuate a., 1st dorsal metatarsal a.,
deep plantar a.
dorsal aspect of the foot; dorsalis pedis a. anastomoses with the plantar arterial arch; the anterior
tibial artery continues as the dorsalis pedis - the name change occurs at the
level of the ankle
external iliaccommon iliac a.inferior epigastric a., deep circumflex iliac a., femoral a.lower limbexternal iliac a. is continuous with the femoral a., the name change occurs
at the inguinal ligament; the common iliac artery bifurcates anterior to the
sacroiliac articulation
external pudendal, deep femoral a.unnamed muscular branchesorigins of pectineus m., adductor longus m.; scrotum/labium majusdeep external pudendal a. may arise from the medial circumflex femoral a.
external pudendal, superficial femoral a.no named branchesskin and superficial fascia of the upper medial thigh, skin of the pubic
region
superficial external pudendal a. is one of three superficial branches of
the femoral a. near the inguinal ligament (see also: superficial circumflex
iliac a., superficial epigastric a.)
femoralexternal iliac a.superficial epigastric a., superficial circumflex iliac a., superficial
external pudendal a., deep external pudendal a., deep femoral a., descending
genicular a., popliteal a.
thigh, leg and footfemoral a. is continuous with the popliteal a., the name change occurs at
the adductor hiatus
femoral, deepfemoral a.medial circumflex femoral a., lateral circumflex femoral a., perforating
aa. (3 or 4)
hip joint, proximal thigh, posterior thighdeep femoral a. is the primary blood supply to muscles of the posterior
compartment of the thigh
femoral, lateral circumflexdeep femoral a.ascending br., transverse br., descending br.lateral thigh and hiplateral circumflex femoral a. arises from the femoral a. in ~14% of cases
femoral, medial circumflexdeep femoral a.ascending br., descending br.medial thigh and hip medial circumflex femoral a. arises from the femoral a. in ~20% of cases
fibularposterior tibial a.nutrient br., lateral malleolar a., communicating br., perforating br.muscles and fascia of the lateral leg anklefibular a. anastomoses at the ankle with the anterior and posterior tibial
aa.; also known as: peroneal a.
genicular, descendingfemoral a.saphenous br., articular brs.skin and superficial structures of the medial aspect of the knee and upper
leg
descending genicular a. anastomoses with the genicular brs. of the popliteal
a.
genicular, inferior lateralpopliteal a.no named brancheslateral aspect of the kneeinferior lateral genicular a. anastomoses with the other genicular brs.
of the popliteal a., circumflex fibular a. and anterior tibial recurrent a.
to form the genicular anastomosis
genicular, inferior medialpopliteal a.no named branchesmedial aspect of the knee inferior medial genicular a. anastomoses with the other genicular brs.
of the popliteal a., circumflex fibular a. and anterior tibial recurrent a.
to form the genicular anastomosis
genicular, middlepopliteal a.no named branchescruciate ligaments and deep structures of the knee middle genicular a. anastomoses with the other genicular brs. of the popliteal
a., circumflex fibular a. and anterior tibial recurrent a. to form the genicular
anastomosis
genicular, superior lateralpopliteal a.no named brancheslateral aspect of knee superior lateral genicular a. anastomoses with the other genicular brs.
of the popliteal a., circumflex fibular a. and anterior tibial recurrent a.
to form the genicular anastomosis
genicular, superior medialpopliteal a.no named branchesmedial aspect of knee superior medial genicular a. anastomoses with the other genicular brs.
of the popliteal a., circumflex fibular a. and anterior tibial recurrent a.
to form the genicular anastomosis
gluteal, inferiorinternal iliac a., anterior divisionunnamed muscular branchesgluteus maximus m., hip jointinferior gluteal a. participates in the formation of the cruciate anastomoses
of the hip
gluteal, superiorinternal iliac, posterior divisionsuperficial br., deep br.gluteus maximus m., gluteus medius m., gluteus minimus m., hip jointsuperior gluteal a. participates in the formation of the cruciate anastomoses
of the hip
iliac, commonabdominal aortaexternal iliac a., internal iliac a.pelvis, lower limbabdominal aorta bifurcates at the level of the L4 vertebral body to form
the right and left common iliac aa.; the common iliac artery bifurcates anterior
to the sacroiliac articulation into its terminal brs. (external iliac a. and
internal iliac a.)
iliac, externalcommon iliac a.inferior epigastric a., deep circumflex iliac a., femoral a.lower limbexternal iliac a. is continuous with the femoral a., the name change occurs
at the inguinal ligament; the common iliac artery bifurcates anterior to the
sacroiliac articulation
iliolumbarinternal iliac a., posterior divisioniliac br., lumbar br.iliacus m., psoas major m., quadratus lumborum m.lumbar br. of the iliolumbar a. sends a small spinal br. into the vertebral
canal
inferior epigastricexternal iliac a.cremasteric a.lower rectus abdominis m., pyramidalis m., lower abdominal wallinferior epigastric m. anastomoses with the superior epigastric m. within
the rectus abdominis m.
inferior glutealinternal iliac a., anterior divisionunnamed muscular branchesgluteus maximus m., hip jointinferior gluteal a. participates in the formation of the cruciate anastomoses
of the hip
inferior lateral genicularpopliteal a.no named brancheslateral aspect of the kneeinferior lateral genicular a. anastomoses with the other genicular brs.
of the popliteal a., circumflex fibular a. and anterior tibial recurrent a.
to form the genicular anastomosis
inferior medial genicularpopliteal a.no named branchesmedial aspect of the knee inferior medial genicular a. anastomoses with the other genicular brs.
of the popliteal a., circumflex fibular a. and anterior tibial recurrent a.
to form the genicular anastomosis
lateral plantarposterior tibial a. proper plantar digital a. to lateral side of 5th digitdeep foot; the plantar arterial arch and its brs. supply the toes, including
the distal phalangeal segment dorsally
lateral plantar a. becomes continuous with the plantar arterial arch
lateral tarsaldorsalis pedis a.no named branchestarsal bones and joints of the lateral footlateral tarsal a. anastomoses with the arcuate a.
lumbarabdominal aorta anterior br., posterior br., spinal br.psoas major m., psoas minor m., quadratus lumborum m., spinal cord and vertebral
column, deep back muscles
the 4 lumbar arteries on each side arise from the posterior surface of the
aorta at the level of vertebrae L1-L4; they course posterior to the psoas major
m.
malleolar, anterior lateralanterior tibial a.no named brancheslateral side of the ankleanterior lateral malleolar a. anastomoses with the posterior lateral malleolar
a. and the perforating br. of the fibular a.
malleolar, anterior medialanterior tibial a.no named branchesmedial side of the ankleanterior medial malleolar a. anastomoses with the posterior medial malleolar
a.
malleolar, posterior lateralfibular a.calcaneal brs.lateral side of the ankleposterior lateral malleolar a. anastomoses with the anterior lateral malleolar
a.
malleolar, posterior medialposterior tibial a.no named branchesmedial side of the ankleposterior medial malleolar a. anastomoses with the anterior medial malleolar
a.
medial plantarposterior tibial a.digital brs. (3)medial side of the sole of the footmedial plantar a. anastomoses with the plantar metatarsal aa., but does
not usually participate in formation of the plantar arterial arch
medial tarsaldorsalis pedis a.no named branchestarsal bones and joints of the medial side of the footmedial tarsal aa. are 2-3 in number; they anastomose with the medial malleolar
aa.
metatarsal, dorsaldorsalis pedis (1st), arcuate (2nd-4th)dorsal digital aa. (2)dorsum of digits, excluding the distal phalangeal segmenteach dorsal metatarsal a. gives off a perforating br. that anastomoses with
the plantar arterial arch
metatarsal, plantarplantar arterial archperforating br., plantar digital aa. (2)interosseous mm., deep portions of the foot; digits including the dorsum
of the distal phalangeal segment
plantar metatarsal aa.anastomose with dorsal metatarsal aa.
middle genicularpopliteal a.no named branchescruciate ligaments and deep structures of the knee middle genicular a. anastomoses with the other genicular brs. of the popliteal
a., circumflex fibular a. and anterior tibial recurrent a. to form the genicular
anastomosis
obturatorinternal iliac a., anterior divisionpubic br., acetabular br., anterior br., posterior br.medial thigh and hipanterior and posterior brs. pass on the anterior and posterior sides of
the adductor brevis m.; aberrant obturator a. arises from the inferior epigastric
a. in 30% of cases
plantar arterial archlateral plantar a.plantar metatarsal aa. (4)deep foot; its plantar metatarsal brs. and their brs. supply the toes, including
the dorsum of the distal phalangeal segment
plantar arterial arch anastomoses with the deep plantar br. of the dorsalis
pedis a.
plantar metatarsalplantar arterial archperforating br., plantar digital aa. (2)interosseous mm., deep portions of the foot; digits including the dorsum
of the distal phalangeal segment
plantar metatarsal aa.anastomose with dorsal metatarsal aa.
plantar, deepdorsalis pedisplantar metatarsal aa. (4)deep foot; its plantar metatarsal brs. and their brs. supply the toes, including
the dorsum of the distal phalangeal segment
anastomoses with lateral plantar a. to form the plantar arterial arch; the
branches mentioned at left arise from the plantar arterial arch
plantar, lateralposterior tibial a. proper plantar digital a. to lateral side of 5th digitdeep foot; the plantar arterial arch and its brs. supply the toes, including
the distal phalangeal segment dorsally
lateral plantar a. becomes continuous with the plantar arterial arch
plantar, medialposterior tibial a.digital brs. (3)medial side of the sole of the footmedial plantar a. anastomoses with the plantar metatarsal aa., but does
not usually participate in formation of the plantar arterial arch
poplitealfemoral a.anterior tibial a., posterior tibial a., 5 genicular brs.knee, leg and footthe popliteal a. is the continuation of the femoral a., the name change
occurs at the adductor hiatus
posterior lateral malleolarfibular a.calcaneal brs.lateral side of the ankleposterior lateral malleolar a. anastomoses with the anterior lateral malleolar
a.
posterior medial malleolarposterior tibial a.no named branchesmedial side of the ankleposterior medial malleolar a. anastomoses with the anterior medial malleolar
a.
posterior tibialpopliteal a.fibular a. (peroneal), circumflex fibular a., nutrient a. of the tibia,
communicating br., posterior medial malleolar brs., medial calcaneal brs.,
lateral plantar a., medial plantar a.
posterior and lateral leg, plantar aspect of the footposterior tibial a. is the direct continuation of the popliteal a. the name
change occurs at the inferior border of the popliteus m. where the popliteal
a. bifurcates; the tibial a. bifurcates on the medial side of the foot to give
rise to the medial plantar a. and lateral plantar a.
posterior tibial recurrentanterior tibial a.no named branchesposterior knee, popliteus m.anastomoses with the other genicular aa. to participate in the formation
of the genicular anastomosis
proper plantar digitalplantar metatarsal a., from the plantar arterial archno named branchesplantar aspect of each digit proper plantar digital aa. supply the dorsum of the distal phalangeal segment
and nail bed
pudendal, deep externalfemoral a.unnamed muscular branchesorigins of pectineus m., adductor longus m.; scrotum/labium majusdeep external pudendal a. may arise from the medial circumflex femoral a.
pudendal, superficial externalfemoral a.no named branchesskin and superficial fascia of the upper medial thigh, skin of the pubic
region
superficial external pudendal a. is one of three superficial branches of
the femoral a. near the inguinal ligament (see also: superficial circumflex
iliac a., superficial epigastric a.)
recurrent, anterior tibialanterior tibial a.no named branchesanterior side of the knee and adjacent musclesanterior tibial recurrent a. anastomoses with the genicular aa. to participate
in the formation of the genicular anastomosis
recurrent, posterior tibialanterior tibial a.no named branchesposterior knee, popliteus m.anastomoses with the other genicular aa. to participate in the formation
of the genicular anastomosis
superficial epigastricfemoral a.cutaneous brs.superficial fascia and skin of the lower abdominal wallsuperficial epigastric a. is one of three superficial arteries that arise
from the femoral a. (see also: superficial circumflex iliac a. and superficial
external pudendal a.)
superficial external pudendalfemoral a.no named branchesskin and superficial fascia of the upper medial thigh, skin of the pubic
region
superficial external pudendal a. is one of three superficial branches of
the femoral a. near the inguinal ligament (see also: superficial circumflex
iliac a., superficial epigastric a.)
superior lateral genicularpopliteal a.no named brancheslateral aspect of knee superior lateral genicular a. anastomoses with the other genicular brs.
of the popliteal a., circumflex fibular a. and anterior tibial recurrent a.
to form the genicular anastomosis
superior medial genicularpopliteal a.no named branchesmedial aspect of knee superior medial genicular a. anastomoses with the other genicular brs.
of the popliteal a., circumflex fibular a. and anterior tibial recurrent a.
to form the genicular anastomosis
suralpopliteal a.unnamed muscular aa.gastrocnemius m., soleus m., plantaris m.sural aa. are often confused with the inferior genicular aa. during dissection
tarsal, lateraldorsalis pedis a.no named branchestarsal bones and joints of the lateral footlateral tarsal a. anastomoses with the arcuate a.
tarsal, medialdorsalis pedis a.no named branchestarsal bones and joints of the medial side of the footmedial tarsal aa. are 2-3 in number; they anastomose with the medial malleolar
aa.
tibial recurrent, anterioranterior tibial a.no named branchesanterior side of the knee and adjacent musclesanterior tibial recurrent a. anastomoses with the genicular aa. to participate
in the formation of the genicular anastomosis
tibial recurrent, posterioranterior tibial a.no named branchesposterior knee, popliteus m.anastomoses with the other genicular aa. to participate in the formation
of the genicular anastomosis
tibial, anteriorpopliteal a.anterior tibial recurrent a., posterior tibial recurrent a., anterior malleolar
a., medial malleolar a., lateral malleolar a., dorsalis pedis a.
anterior leg; dorsum of foot and deep footanterior tibial a. becomes continuous with the dorsalis pedis a.; the name
change occurs at the level of the ankle joint
tibial, posteriorpopliteal a.fibular a. (peroneal), circumflex fibular a., nutrient a. of the tibia,
communicating br., posterior medial malleolar brs., medial calcaneal brs.,
lateral plantar a., medial plantar a.
posterior and lateral leg, plantar aspect of the footposterior tibial a. is the direct continuation of the popliteal a. the name
change occurs at the inferior border of the popliteus m. where the popliteal
a. bifurcates; the tibial a. bifurcates on the medial side of the foot to give
rise to the medial plantar a. and lateral plantar a.
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