Tarsal Artery

Description

Arterial anatomy of the male ankle and dorsum of the foot is rendered with the tarsal artery system in the foreground, continuing distally toward the metatarsal region and toes. Proximally, the anterior tibial artery transitions into the dorsalis pedis artery on the anterior aspect of the ankle, giving off medial and lateral tarsal arteries that sweep inferiorly across the tarsal bones and extensor retinaculum region. Distal branches track along the dorsum toward the arcuate artery and dorsal metatarsal arteries, while paired venous channels run in parallel, returning blood proximally from the digital venous network. Spatial relationships are kept clear. Arteries remain predominantly anterior and superficial on the dorsum, with branches passing medially and laterally around the midfoot. Attention to the tarsal branches matters when you are teaching perfusion patterns of the foot or planning incisions across the anterior ankle and midfoot. The lateral tarsal artery and arcuate artery form clinically relevant anastomoses that can preserve dorsal skin viability, but they are also vulnerable during dorsal approaches for talonavicular or tarsometatarsal procedures and during extensor tendon exposure. For vascular assessment, this map helps connect a palpable dorsalis pedis pulse to downstream territories, and frames why patients with diabetes or peripheral arterial disease may show focal ischemic changes on the dorsum despite proximal flow. Use this artwork in gross anatomy and lower limb dissection courses, podiatric medicine curricula, and surgical anatomy chapters covering dorsal foot approaches, flap planning, and angiosome-based wound care. It also supports patient-facing education in vascular clinics when explaining arterial supply to the ankle and forefoot. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.