LOWER EXTRIMITES BLOOD VESSELS

Main Blood Vessels of the Upper Extremity

1. Femoral Artery

• Origin: Femoral artery originates from external iliac artery at the femoral triangle.
• Extent: Extends from the femoral triangle to the popliteal fossa.
• Parts:
  • Proximal part: Femoral artery gives off superficial and deep branches.
  • Distal part: Femoral artery becomes popliteal artery.
• Branches:
  • Superficial branches: Superficial circumflex iliac, superficial epigastric, superficial external pudendal arteries.
  • Deep branches: Deep circumflex iliac, deep external pudendal, femoral branch to femoral canal, and perforating branches to muscles of thigh.
  • Perforating branches: Give off to muscles of thigh and knee.
• Distribution: Femoral artery supplies blood to the lower limb, including muscles, skin, and bones.

2. Popliteal Artery

• Origin: Popliteal artery originates from femoral artery at the popliteal fossa.
• Extent: Extends from the popliteal fossa to the posterior aspect of the lower leg.
• Parts:
  • Proximal part: Popliteal artery gives off medial and lateral superior genicular arteries.
  • Distal part: Popliteal artery becomes anterior and posterior tibial arteries.
• Branches:
  • Medial and lateral superior genicular arteries.
  • Perforating branches: Give off to muscles of thigh and knee.
• Distribution: Popliteal artery supplies blood to the knee, lower leg, and foot.

3. Anterior Tibial Artery

• Origin: Anterior tibial artery originates from popliteal artery.
• Extent: Extends from the popliteal fossa to the dorsum of the foot.
• Parts:
  • Proximal part: Anterior tibial artery gives off anterior and posterior tibial recurrent arteries.
  • Distal part: Anterior tibial artery becomes dorsalis pedis artery.
• Branches:
  • Anterior and posterior tibial recurrent arteries.
  • Perforating branches: Give off to muscles of lower leg.
• Distribution: Anterior tibial artery supplies blood to the lower leg and foot.

4. Posterior Tibial Artery

• Origin: Posterior tibial artery originates from popliteal artery.
• Extent: Extends from the popliteal fossa to the dorsum of the foot.
• Parts:
  • Proximal part: Posterior tibial artery gives off posterior tibial recurrent artery.
  • Distal part: Posterior tibial artery becomes medial and lateral plantar arteries.
• Branches:
  • Posterior tibial recurrent artery.
  • Perforating branches: Give off to muscles of lower leg.
• Distribution: Posterior tibial artery supplies blood to the lower leg and foot.

5. Dorsalis Pedis Artery

• Origin: Dorsalis pedis artery originates from anterior tibial artery.
• Extent: Extends from the dorsum of the foot to the great toe.
• Parts:
  • Proximal part: Dorsalis pedis artery gives off arcuate artery.
  • Distal part: Dorsalis pedis artery becomes deep plantar artery.
• Branches:
  • Arcuate artery.
  • Perforating branches: Give off to muscles of foot.
• Distribution: Dorsalis pedis artery supplies blood to the foot.

Superficial and Deep Plantar Arches

• Superficial Plantar Arch

  • Origin: Superficial plantar arch originates from dorsal metatarsal arteries.
  • Extent: Extends from the metatarsal bones to the toes.
  • Branches:
    • Dorsal digital arteries.
  • Distribution: Superficial plantar arch supplies blood to the skin of the foot.

• Deep Plantar Arch

  • Origin: Deep plantar arch originates from plantar metatarsal arteries.
  • Extent: Extends from the metatarsal bones to the toes.
  • Branches:
    • Plantar digital arteries.
  • Distribution: Deep plantar arch supplies blood to the muscles and skin of the foot.

Venous Drainage of Lower Extremity

• Superficial Veins

  • Origin: Superficial veins originate from the skin of the lower limb.
  • Extent: Extends from the lower limb to the saphenous opening.
  • Branches:
    • Great saphenous vein.
  • Distribution: Superficial veins drain blood from the skin of the lower limb.

• Deep Veins

  • Origin: Deep veins originate from the muscles of the lower limb.
  • Extent: Extends from the lower limb to the popliteal vein.
  • Branches:
    • Popliteal vein.
  • Distribution: Deep veins drain blood from the muscles of the lower limb.

Applied Anatomy

• Femoral Artery

  • Used in femoral artery cannulation for blood sampling and infusion.
  • Used in femoral artery embolectomy for removal of blood clots.

• Popliteal Artery

  • Used in popliteal artery cannulation for blood sampling and infusion.
  • Used in popliteal artery embolectomy for removal of blood clots.

• Anterior Tibial Artery

  • Used in anterior tibial artery cannulation for blood sampling and infusion.
  • Used in anterior tibial artery embolectomy for removal of blood clots.

• Posterior Tibial Artery

  • Used in posterior tibial artery cannulation for blood sampling and infusion.
  • Used in posterior tibial artery embolectomy for removal of blood clots.

• Dorsalis Pedis Artery

  • Used in dorsalis pedis artery cannulation for blood sampling and infusion.
  • Used in dorsalis pedis artery embolectomy for removal of blood clots.

• Superficial and Deep Plantar Arches

  • Used in plantar arch ligation for treatment of varicose veins.

• Venous Drainage of Lower Extremity

  • Used in venous cannulation for blood sampling and infusion.
  • Used in venous embolectomy for removal of blood clots.