The

arcuate artery of the foot The arcuate artery of the foot (metatarsal artery) arises from dorsalis pedis slightly anterior to the lateral tarsal artery, specifically over the naviculocuneiform joint; it passes lateralward, over the bases of the lateral four metatarsal bones, ...

gives off the second, third, and fourth dorsal metatarsal arteries, which run forward upon the corresponding Interossei dorsales; in the clefts between the toes, each divides into two dorsal digital branches for the adjoining toes. At the proximal parts of the interosseous spaces these vessels receive the posterior perforating branches from 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 ...

, and at the distal parts of the spaces they are joined by the anterior perforating branches, from the

plantar metatarsal arteries 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 ...

. The fourth dorsal metatarsal artery gives off a branch which supplies the lateral side of the

fifth 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 ...

. The

first dorsal metatarsal artery The first dorsal metatarsal artery is a small artery on the back of the foot. It runs forward on the first interosseous dorsalis muscle, and at the cleft between the great and second toes divides into two branches, one of which passes beneath the ...

runs forward on the first

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 ...

References

External links

* http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_17/17-3.HTM {{Authority control Arteries of the lower limb