Overview
This lecture covers the main arteries and nerves of the foot, their branches, anatomical courses, and areas of innervation, both motor and sensory.
Arterial Supply of the Foot
- Foot blood supply is divided into dorsal (top) and plantar (sole) components.
- The anterior tibial artery supplies the dorsum via branches.
- The posterior tibial artery supplies the plantar aspect via its branches.
- Dorsalis pedis artery (branch of anterior tibial) gives lateral and medial tarsal, arcuate, and deep plantar arteries.
- Posterior tibial artery branches into medial and lateral plantar arteries.
- Deep plantar arch is formed mainly by lateral plantar and deep plantar arteries.
- Superficial plantar arch includes lateral plantar and superficial branch of medial plantar arteries.
Nerve Supply of the Foot
- Five main nerves supply the foot: tibial, sural, deep fibular, superficial fibular, and saphenous nerves.
- Superficial fibular nerve divides into medial and intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerves.
- Deep fibular nerve gives dorsal digital branches.
- Tibial nerve branches into sural, medial calcaneal, and medial/lateral plantar nerves.
Muscular Innervation
- Tibial nerve innervates flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus.
- Medial plantar nerve supplies flexor hallucis brevis, flexor digitorum brevis, abductor hallucis, and lumbricals.
- Lateral plantar nerve supplies flexor digiti minimi brevis, quadratus plantae, abductor digiti minimi, interossei, adductor hallucis, and lumbricals.
- Deep fibular nerve innervates extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum brevis.
Cutaneous (Sensory) Innervation
- Dorsum of foot: saphenous, superficial fibular, sural, deep fibular, and lateral plantar nerves.
- Sole of foot: saphenous, medial plantar, lateral plantar, sural, and tibial nerves.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Anterior tibial artery — artery supplying the dorsum (top) of the foot.
- Posterior tibial artery — artery supplying the plantar (sole) aspect of the foot.
- Dorsalis pedis artery — main continuation of anterior tibial artery on dorsum.
- Plantar arch — arterial structure on the sole formed by branching arteries.
- Tibial nerve — main nerve supplying motor and sensory fibers to the sole.
- Superficial fibular nerve — nerve supplying most of the dorsum of the foot.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review anatomical diagrams of the arteries and nerves of the foot.
- Complete quizzes on neurovasculature of the lower limb.
- Read related articles on lower limb arteries and nerves for further detail.