Arcuate Artery, Lateral View

Description

Arising on the dorsum of the foot from the dorsalis pedis artery, the arcuate artery courses laterally across the bases of the metatarsals, parallel to the tarsometatarsal joints and deep to the dorsal venous network. From its convex distal margin, dorsal metatarsal arteries descend distally toward the web spaces, while proximal connections to the lateral tarsal artery and perforating branches link dorsal and plantar circulations. Tibia and fibula frame the ankle mortise proximally, with the talus, calcaneus, navicular, and cuboid forming the hindfoot and midfoot beneath the vascular plane. Bone and vessel alignments are clear. Lateral projection matters because it clarifies how the arcuate artery relates to the lateral malleolus and the extensor retinacula, a practical map when tracing pedal pulses or planning incisions over the dorsal midfoot. Dorsalis pedis and its arcuate continuation show frequent anatomic variation, and that variation influences distal perfusion in patients with diabetes or peripheral arterial disease where toe pressure and angiosome-based wound planning guide care. This angle also helps explain why dorsal metatarsal artery injuries can complicate open reduction and internal fixation of Lisfranc fracture-dislocations or dorsal approaches to tarsometatarsal arthrodesis. Use this plate in lower-limb anatomy teaching to anchor the transition from anterior tibial artery to dorsalis pedis artery and then to the arcuate artery across the metatarsal bases. It also fits podiatric surgery texts, vascular surgery chapters on pedal bypass targets, and radiology teaching files correlating surface anatomy with CTA or MRA of the dorsal foot. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.