Dorsalis Metatarsal Arteries, Lateral View

Description

Running distally across the dorsum of a male foot, the dorsalis metatarsal arteries arise from the arcuate artery and course anteriorly over the metatarsals toward the web spaces, where each gives plantar metatarsal perforators and continues as a dorsal digital artery. Laterally, the vascular tree is anchored proximally by the anterior tibial artery as it becomes dorsalis pedis at the ankle, with the extensor retinacula spanning anterior to the tibiotalar joint. Superficial veins parallel the arterial pattern over the dorsal fascia, while the deeper vessels sit closer to the metatarsal shafts and intermetatarsal spaces. Clear relationships. Surgical planning often hinges on this map. Dorsal incisions for metatarsal fracture fixation, Lisfranc injury exposure, and dorsal cheilectomy at the first metatarsophalangeal joint risk transecting dorsal metatarsal branches, particularly in the intermetatarsal intervals where the vessels run with the dorsal interossei and digital nerves. Endovascular and flap considerations also benefit from this perspective, since patency of dorsalis pedis and its arcuate to dorsalis metatarsal branches influences distal perfusion in peripheral arterial disease and diabetic foot ischemia. Teach this view in lower limb anatomy labs to connect the anterior tibial artery to forefoot perfusion, or drop it into a podiatric surgery atlas when illustrating safe dorsal approaches and expected bleeding points. It also pairs well with Doppler or angiography teaching, since the depicted trajectories correspond to common pulse and signal targets on the dorsal foot. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.