Gross Anatomy- Vasculature and Innervation of the Plantar Foot

Question 1

Name the two Arteries of the Plantar Foot

Answer 1

Medial and Lateral Plantar Arteries

Question 2

Describe the Medial Plantar a.

Answer 2

o Medial plantar a. – terminal branch of posterior tibial a

.
 Deep branches -
• Supply great toe

 Superficial branch -
• Digital branches -
o Anastomose with medial plantar metatarsal aa.

Question 3

Describe the Lateral Plantar a.

Answer 3

o Lateral plantar a. – terminal branch of posterior tibial a.
 Deep plantar arch –
• Runs with deep plantar n.
• Completed by union with deep plantar a. (from dorsalis pedis a.)
• 4 plantar metatarsal aa.
o Divide to form plantar digital aa.
 Provide most blood to toes
• 3 perforating branches

Question 4

Descrinbe the Veins of the Foot

Answer 4

o Veins of foot follow aa. of same name
o Eventually form drain to dorsal venous arch

Question 5

Innervations of the Plantar Foot -name the nerves of the Plantar Foot

Answer 5

Medial Plantar n

Lateral Plantar n-superficial and deep branch

Saphenous n.

Lateral dorsal cutaneous n.

Medial calcaneal branch of tibial n.

Lateral calcaneal branch of sural n.

Question 6

Describe characteristics of the Medail and Lateral Plantar nn

Answer 6

• Medial plantar n. – terminal branch of tibial n.
o Supplies abductor hallucis, flexor digitorum brevis, flexor hallucis brevis and 1st lumbrical mm.
o Supplies sensory to medial 3½ digits and sole proximal to them
• Lateral plantar n. – terminal branch of tibial n.
o Divides into:
 Superficial branch
 Deep branch
 Supply all mm. in plantar foot not supplied by medial plantar n.
o Supplies skin on sole lateral to line splitting 4th digit

Question 7

What nerve does the Saphenous n come from?

Answer 7

from femoral n.
o Supplies skin of medial foot up to head of 1st metatarsal

Question 8

Describe the Lateral dorsal cutaneous n and where does it derive from?

Answer 8

from sural n.
o Supplies skin on lateral margin of foot

Question 9

Describe what the Medial calcaneal branch of tibial n supplies

Answer 9

o Supplies skin of heel

Question 10

Describe what the Lateral calcaneal branch of sural n. supplies

Answer 10

o Supplies skin of heel