The dorsalis pedis artery (also known as the dorsal artery of the foot) is a continuation of the anterior tibial artery. The dorsalis pedis artery supplies arterial blood to the dorsal surface of the foot.

It terminates at the proximal part of the first intermetatarsal space by dividing into two terminal branches:

On its course, the dorsalis pedis artery gives off the following side branches:

Deep plantar artery

The deep plantar artery is a branch of the dorsalis pedis artery, which penetrates the foot between the first and second metatarsal bones and forms an anastomosis with the terminal branch of the plantar arch. The deep plantar artery supplies the first (big) toe and the second toe.

The other terminal branch of the dorsalis pedis artery is the first dorsal metatarsal artery that divides into three dorsal digital arteries. (Click here to learn more about the dorsal metatarsal and dorsal digital arteries!)

Arcuate artery

The arcuate artery arises from the dorsalis pedis artery near the medial cuneiform bone, passes laterally from the first interosseous space to the bases of the 2nd to 5th metatarsal bones, beneath the tendons of the extensor digitorum brevis muscle and gives off the second, third, and fourth dorsal metatarsal arteries. These arteries run to the interosseous spaces, where each metatarsal artery divides into two dorsal digital arteries.

The arcuate artery supplies blood to the adjoining muscles of the foot, the metatarsal bones and toes.

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Dorsalis pedis and arcuate arteries