The deep plantar arch in humans: constitution and topography

The integrity of the various structures within the feet depends on their blood supply. Lesions of the feet often require revascularization, which if successful avoids the need for amputation. To provide greater anatomical detail to aid vascular surgery and imaging, the anatomy and constitution of th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Surgical and radiologic anatomy (English ed.) 2001, Vol.23 (4), p.253-258
Main Authors: GABRIELLI, C, OLAVE, E, MANDIOLA, E, RODRIGUES, C. F. S, PRATES, J. C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Arteries - anatomy & histology
Biological and medical sciences
Cadaver
Dissection - methods
Fascia - anatomy & histology
Fascia - blood supply
Female
Foot - anatomy & histology
Foot - blood supply
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Orthopedic Procedures
Sensitivity and Specificity
Skeleton and joints
Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system
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Summary:The integrity of the various structures within the feet depends on their blood supply. Lesions of the feet often require revascularization, which if successful avoids the need for amputation. To provide greater anatomical detail to aid vascular surgery and imaging, the anatomy and constitution of the deep plantar arch was studied in 50 adult cadaveric feet. The arteries of the foot were injected with red neoprene latex and dissected under magnification. The deep plantar arch, present in all feet, was the result of anastomosis between the deep plantar artery and the deep branch of the lateral plantar artery. The deep plantar artery was predominant in 72% of specimens (Type I arches) and the lateral plantar artery in 22% (Type II), with the contribution being equal in 6% (Type III). The medial plantar artery contributed to the medial segment of the deep plantar arch by its deep branch in 12% of specimens. The distance between the deep plantar arch and each interdigital commissure was generally constant, averaging 29% of total foot length. The deep plantar arch was located in the middle third of the foot in all specimens, being in the distal part of this third in 90%. The deep plantar arch is, therefore formed mainly by the deep plantar artery, a branch of the dorsal artery of foot; its location can be estimated if foot length is known.
ISSN:0930-1038
1279-8517
DOI:10.1007/s00276-001-0253-1