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Plantar Arch

arcus plantaris profundus

The plantar arch is the deep arterial arch of the sole of the foot, formed primarily by the lateral plantar artery curving medially across the bases of the metatarsals and anastomosing with the deep plantar artery, a perforating branch of the dorsalis pedis artery. From this arch arise the four plantar metatarsal arteries, which divide into the digital arteries supplying the toes.

Region: Foot & Ankle

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The plantar arch is the foot's equivalent of the palmar deep arch of the hand, providing a complete arterial circuit that ensures collateral perfusion of all toes even with occlusion of one feeding vessel. In peripheral arterial disease, occlusion of the tibial arteries and plantar arch leads to forefoot gangrene. The arch lies on the interosseous muscles and is closely related to the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve. It is the source vessel for plantar artery perforator flaps used in foot and lower leg reconstruction.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Plantar Arch Occlusion in PAD

Peripheral arterial disease progressively occludes the tibial vessels and ultimately the plantar arch, producing forefoot rest pain, non-healing ulcers, and dry gangrene of the toes, requiring infrainguinal revascularisation or, in non-reconstructable disease, transmetatarsal or below-knee amputation.