The deep plantar artery (ramus plantaris profundus; communicating artery) descends into the
sole of the foot
The sole is the bottom of the foot.
In humans the sole of the foot is anatomically referred to as the plantar aspect.
Structure
The glabrous skin on the sole of the foot lacks the hair and pigmentation found elsewhere on the body, and it has ...
, between the two heads of the 1st
interosseous dorsalis
In human anatomy, the dorsal interossei (DI) are four muscles in the back of the hand that act to abduct (spread) the index, middle, and ring fingers away from hand's midline (ray of middle finger) and assist in flexion at the metacarpophalangea ...
, and unites with the termination of the
lateral plantar artery
The lateral plantar artery (external plantar artery), much larger than the medial, passes obliquely lateralward and forward to the base of the fifth metatarsal bone.
It then turns medialward to the interval between the bases of the first and secon ...
, to complete the
plantar arch
The plantar arch is a circulatory anastomosis formed from:
* deep plantar artery, from the dorsalis pedis - a.k.a. dorsal artery of the foot
* lateral plantar artery
The plantar arch supplies the underside, or sole, of the foot.
The plantar arch ...
.
It sends a branch along the medial side of the
great toe
Toes are the digits (fingers) of the foot of a tetrapod. Animal species such as cats that walk on their toes are described as being '' digitigrade''. Humans, and other animals that walk on the soles of their feet, are described as being '' pl ...
and continues forward along the first interosseous space as the first
plantar metatarsal artery
The plantar metatarsal arteries (digital branches) are four in number, arising from the convexity of the plantar arch. They run forward between the metatarsal bones and in contact with the Interossei. They are located in the fourth layer of the foo ...
, which bifurcates for the supply of the adjacent sides of the great and second toes.
References
External links
* http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_17/17-3.HTM
Arteries of the lower limb
{{circulatory-stub