Blood supply to lower limb

Question 1

Describe the pathway of blood supply to lower limb

Answer 1

External iliac artery > Femoral artery > Popliteal artery>anterior & posterior tibial arteries > dorsalis pedis (from ant. tib artery)

Question 2

Describe the path of the femoral artery

Answer 2

• Major artery to lower limb
• Continuation of external iliac artery (when passes under inguinal ligament)
• travels down thigh in femoral canal
• continues in adductor magnus - passes through adductor hiatus
• becomes popliteal artery when posterior to knee

Pulse at femoral triangle - Mid inguinal point

Question 3

Describe the path of the popliteal artery

Answer 3

• Major artery supplying lower leg + foot
• continuation of femoral artery (posterior to knee)
• Enters posterior compartment via popliteal fossa
• then divides into anterior and posterior tibial arteries
• Pulse at popliteal fossa - lots of pressure needed

Question 4

Describe the path of the Posterior tibial artery

Answer 4

• Continuation of popliteal artery
• enters foot via tarsal tunnel
• divides into medial and lateral plantar arteries
• Pulse - infero-posterior to medial malleolus

Question 5

Describe the path of the anterior tibial artery

Answer 5

• Continuation of the popliteal artery
• travels through hiatus in interosseous membrane to enter anterior compartment
• runs on the anterior aspect of the ankle between the EHL and the 1st tendon of EDL
• Pulse at front of ankle

Question 6

Describe the path of the dorsalis pedis

Answer 6

• Continuation of anterior tibial artery (enters foot)

* Pulse between 1st and 2nd metatarsals