The posterior tibial artery is a continuation of the popliteal artery as one of its terminal branches. Overall, the posterior tibial artery provides blood supply to the posterior compartment of the lower leg (including the superficial and deep muscles) and to the plantar surface of the foot.

The artery travels through the cruropopliteal canal, a passage between muscles that leads from the popliteal fossa into the lower leg. After travelling through the cruropopliteal canal, the artery passes behind the medial malleolus and below the flexor retinaculum (a band of fibrous tissue that stretches between the medial malleolus and calcaneus).

On the plantar surface of the foot, the posterior tibial artery divides into its terminal branches the lateral and medial plantar arteries. On its course, the posterior tibial artery also gives off the following side branches:

Peroneal (fibular) artery
Circumflex fibular artery
Medial malleolar branches
Muscular branches
Tibial nutrient artery
Calcaneal branches

Learn more about the main branches of the posterior tibial artery on the next slide!

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Posterior tibial artery