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The anterior tibial artery    is located between the tibia and fibula, and supplies blood to the muscles and integument of the anterior tibial region. Upon reaching the tarsal region, it becomes the dorsalis pedis artery    , which branches repeatedly and provides blood to the tarsal and dorsal regions of the foot. The posterior tibial artery    provides blood to the muscles and integument on the posterior surface of the tibial region. The fibular or peroneal artery branches from the posterior tibial artery. It bifurcates and becomes the medial plantar artery    and lateral plantar artery    , providing blood to the plantar surfaces. There is an anastomosis with the dorsalis pedis artery, and the medial and lateral plantar arteries form two arches called the dorsal arch    (also called the arcuate arch) and the plantar arch    , which provide blood to the remainder of the foot and toes. [link] shows the distribution of the major systemic arteries in the lower limb. [link] summarizes the major systemic arteries discussed in the text.

Major arteries serving the lower limb

The left panel shows the anterior view of arteries in the legs, and the right panel shows the posterior view.
Major arteries serving the lower limb are shown in anterior and posterior views.

Systemic arteries of the lower limb

This chart shows the major arteries present in the lower limbs.
The flow chart summarizes the distribution of the systemic arteries from the external iliac artery into the lower limb.
Arteries Serving the Lower Limbs
Vessel Description
Femoral artery Continuation of the external iliac artery after it passes through the body cavity; divides into several smaller branches, the lateral deep femoral artery, and the genicular artery; becomes the popliteal artery as it passes posterior to the knee
Deep femoral artery Branch of the femoral artery; gives rise to the lateral circumflex arteries
Lateral circumflex artery Branch of the deep femoral artery; supplies blood to the deep muscles of the thigh and the ventral and lateral regions of the integument
Genicular artery Branch of the femoral artery; supplies blood to the region of the knee
Popliteal artery Continuation of the femoral artery posterior to the knee; branches into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries
Anterior tibial artery Branches from the popliteal artery; supplies blood to the anterior tibial region; becomes the dorsalis pedis artery
Dorsalis pedis artery Forms from the anterior tibial artery; branches repeatedly to supply blood to the tarsal and dorsal regions of the foot
Posterior tibial artery Branches from the popliteal artery and gives rise to the fibular or peroneal artery; supplies blood to the posterior tibial region
Medial plantar artery Arises from the bifurcation of the posterior tibial arteries; supplies blood to the medial plantar surfaces of the foot
Lateral plantar artery Arises from the bifurcation of the posterior tibial arteries; supplies blood to the lateral plantar surfaces of the foot
Dorsal or arcuate arch Formed from the anastomosis of the dorsalis pedis artery and the medial and plantar arteries; branches supply the distal portions of the foot and digits
Plantar arch Formed from the anastomosis of the dorsalis pedis artery and the medial and plantar arteries; branches supply the distal portions of the foot and digits

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Source:  OpenStax, Anatomy & Physiology. OpenStax CNX. Feb 04, 2016 Download for free at http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11496/1.8
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