The deep plantar artery is a terminal branch of the dorsalis pedis artery. It dives from the top of the foot into the sole through the first intermetatarsal space, passing between the two heads of the first dorsal interosseous muscle. In the sole it joins the lateral plantar artery to complete the deep plantar arch, linking the anterior and posterior tibial circulations.
| Origin | Dorsalis pedis artery at the proximal end of the first intermetatarsal space |
|---|---|
| Course | Passes into the sole between the two heads of the first dorsal interosseous and joins the lateral plantar artery to complete the deep plantar arch |
| Branches |
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This connection means that the foot can stay well perfused if either the anterior or the posterior tibial artery is blocked. The artery lies close to the base of the first and second metatarsals, so it can be torn in Lisfranc fracture dislocations and injured in first ray surgery and dorsal approaches to the midfoot, causing troublesome bleeding or compartment pressure. It is also the route for retrograde access from the dorsalis pedis to the plantar arch in some limb salvage procedures.
Displacement at the tarsometatarsal joints can tear the deep plantar artery or dorsalis pedis where it dives into the sole, causing a large haematoma, foot compartment syndrome or loss of the dorsalis pedis pulse.
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