The Cardiovascular system - Arteries of the lower limb Flashcards
What is the main artery of the lower limb?
The femoral artery, a continuation of the external iliac artery
When does the external iliac artery form the femoral artery
The external iliac becomes the femoral artery when it crosses under the inguinal ligament and enters the femoral triangle.
What does the femoral artery then give rise to?
The popliteal artery
Where does the popliteal artery then travel
The popliteal artery descends down the posterior thigh, giving rise to genicular branches that supply the knee joint. It moves through the popliteal fossa, exiting between the gastrocnemius and popliteus muscles.
What does the popliteal artery then terminate to?
At the lower border of the popliteus, the popliteal artery terminates by dividing into the anterior tibial artery and the tibioperoneal trunk. In turn, the tibioperoneal trunk bifurcates into the posterior tibial and fibular arteries:
Posterior tibial artery – continues inferiorly, along the surface of the deep posterior leg muscles (such as tibialis posterior). It enters the sole of the foot via the tarsal tunnel, accompanying the tibial nerve.
Fibular (peroneal) artery – descends posteriorly to the fibula, within the posterior compartment of the leg. It gives rise to perforating branches, which penetrate the intermuscular septum to supply muscles in the lateral compartment of the leg.
What does the anterior tibial artery then form and where does it travel?
The other division of the popliteal artery, the anterior tibial artery, passes anteriorly between the tibia and fibula, through a gap in the interosseous membrane. It then moves inferiorly down the leg. It runs down the entire length of the leg, and into the foot, where it becomes the dorsalis pedis artery.
What is the arterial supply of the foot delivered by?
Dorsalis Pedis (continuation of the anterior tibial artery)
Posterior tibial artery
Where can the posterior tibial artery be palpated at?
Behind the medial malleolus
