Anatomy and Function of Foot Blood Vessels with Diagram | Body Maps
Explore the detailed anatomy and vital functions of the foot's blood vessels, tracing oxygen-rich blood flow from the heart to the foot and understanding common circulation issues.
Oxygen-rich blood is pumped from the heart through the expansive thoracic aorta, which then bifurcates near the abdomen into two main branches. From this division, blood travels down the femoral artery in the leg, branching further to supply the foot with essential oxygen and nutrients.
The key arteries responsible for delivering oxygenated blood to the foot include:
- Popliteal artery: Originating from the femoral artery, this vessel supplies the knee, thigh, and calf muscles before splitting into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.
- Posterior tibial artery: Branching from the popliteal artery, it runs along the inner leg, supplying the leg and sole of the foot, accompanied by the posterior tibial vein.
- Anterior tibial artery: Another branch of the popliteal artery, this artery nourishes the muscles of the leg and foot from the front.
- Peroneal artery: The largest offshoot of the posterior tibial artery, it delivers blood to the outer and rear ankle and calf muscles, terminating at the lateral calcaneal artery.
- Plantar arteries: Comprising lateral, medial, and deep branches, these arteries create a network across the sole and extend into each toe, eventually connecting with the dorsalis pedis artery.
- Dorsalis pedis artery: A continuation of the anterior tibial artery, it supplies the top surface of the foot and is paired with the dorsalis pedis vein.
Venous vessels in the foot are tasked with returning oxygen-depleted blood from the tissues back to the heart, maintaining healthy circulation.
Circulatory issues in the foot are prevalent among elderly individuals, those with obesity, and people who stand for extended periods. Varicose veins, characterized by swollen and twisted veins, often cause discomfort due to blood pooling caused by faulty valves. These veins are commonly visible beneath the skin.
The foot's nerves transmit critical sensory information such as pain and temperature to the brain. The dorsal digital nerves branch throughout the foot and toes, originating from larger nerves including the intermediate dorsal cutaneous, medial dorsal cutaneous, sural, and deep fibular nerves in the lower limbs.
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