The anterior lateral malleolar artery is a small branch of the anterior tibial artery arising just above the ankle. It passes laterally behind the tendons of extensor digitorum longus and fibularis tertius to reach the lateral malleolus. There it joins the perforating branch of the fibular artery and the lateral tarsal artery in the lateral malleolar network.
| Origin | Anterior tibial artery, about 5 cm above the ankle joint |
|---|---|
| Course | Runs laterally deep to the tendons of extensor digitorum longus and fibularis tertius to the lateral malleolus |
| Branches |
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The artery and its network supply the lateral ankle skin, the anterior capsule and the lateral malleolus. It can bleed during anterolateral ankle arthroscopy and in open reduction of lateral malleolus fractures. The lateral malleolar network keeps the dorsum of the foot perfused through collaterals when the anterior tibial artery is narrowed and is used as a pedicle for small local flaps.
Arthroscopic portals or incisions on the front of the lateral ankle can injure the artery, causing a haematoma that may irritate the nearby superficial fibular nerve branches.
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