[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) › Dorsalis pedis artery [Cardiovascular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/cardiovascular-system/) · [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) # Dorsalis pedis artery The dorsalis pedis artery runs on top of the foot, where the foot pulse is felt; it continues from the [anterior tibial artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-tibial-artery/). [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=lower_limb&select=dorsalis_pedis_artery&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The continuation of the anterior tibial artery on top of the foot. ## What it does Supplies the top of the foot and helps form the arch of arteries in the sole. ## Key points - Ends by diving between the two heads of the first dorsal interosseous as the deep plantar artery, which closes the plantar arch - The pulse is felt just lateral to the extensor hallucis longus tendon; a missing pulse with a normal posterior tibial pulse is often a normal variant - Lisfranc injuries can tear it where it dives between the first and second metatarsals, causing bleeding and compartment syndrome of the foot ## Key facts **Origin** Continuation of anterior tibial artery in front of ankle, midway between malleoli **Branches** Lateral and medial tarsal, arcuate, 1st dorsal metatarsal, deep plantar artery **Supplies** Dorsum of foot and toes; pulse lateral to extensor hallucis longus tendon (absent in some people) ## Relations **Course** Begins in front of the ankle midway between the malleoli and runs forward over the [talus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/talus/), [navicular](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/navicular-bone/) and [intermediate cuneiform](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/intermediate-cuneiform-bone/) to the base of the first intermetatarsal space **Medial** The [extensor hallucis longus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/extensor-hallucis-longus/) tendon **Lateral** The medial branch of the [deep fibular nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/deep-fibular-nerve/) and the first tendon of the [extensor digitorum longus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/extensor-digitorum-longus/) **Superficial** [Skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/), fascia and the inferior [extensor retinaculum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/extensor-retinaculum-of-the-wrist/); crossed by the [extensor hallucis brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/extensor-hallucis-brevis/) tendon **Deep** The talus, navicular and intermediate cuneiform: a firm surface to feel the pulse against ## How to find it With the foot relaxed, the extensor hallucis longus tendon is found by lifting the [big toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/great-toe/); the fingertips then rest just lateral to it on the highest part of the dorsum, over the bases of the first and second metatarsals or slightly higher. Light pressure works best. ## Examination - Buerger test: with the person lying down, the leg is raised; pallor at a low angle (under about 20°), then a slow, dusky red return when the leg hangs down, indicates severe arterial insufficiency - Foot pulses are graded and compared side to side; when one is absent, Doppler and the ankle–brachial index separate a normal variant from disease ## On imaging Doppler ultrasound finds it on the dorsum just lateral to the extensor hallucis longus tendon and, with the [posterior tibial artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/posterior-tibial-artery/), gives the ankle–brachial index. CT angiography or catheter angiography shows occlusion, or an artery that is absent or arises from the [fibular artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fibular-artery/). After a Lisfranc injury, CT shows the fracture-dislocation and CT angiography is added if the pulse is lost. ## Common problems - Its pulse, on top of the foot, is checked to assess blood flow in the leg (for example in diabetes or after injury). ## Clinical notes - Pedal bypass to the dorsalis pedis artery saves limbs in diabetic disease when the tibial arteries are blocked higher up - Can be used for arterial sampling or pressure monitoring when the wrist arteries are unavailable ## Anatomical variants - Absent or very small in a minority of healthy feet (figures vary between texts), usually replaced by the perforating branch of the fibular artery - May run more laterally than expected, away from the extensor hallucis longus tendon - Its tarsal and metatarsal branches vary widely ## Development It forms as the continuation of the anterior tibial artery, a branch of the embryonic leg [axis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/axis/) that also gives the fibular artery; when the anterior tibial stays small, a large perforating branch of the fibular artery takes its place on the dorsum. ## Related conditions - [Diabetic foot](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/diabetic-foot/) - [Peripheral artery disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/peripheral-artery-disease/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Where is the dorsalis pedis pulse felt? Just lateral to the extensor hallucis longus tendon, over the highest part of the dorsum near the bases of the first and second metatarsals. ## How does the dorsalis pedis artery end? As the deep plantar artery, diving between the two heads of the first dorsal interosseous to close the plantar arch. ## Which midfoot injury can tear the dorsalis pedis artery, and with what consequence? A Lisfranc injury, where it dives between the first and second metatarsals; bleeding can cause compartment syndrome of the foot. ## What does the Buerger test show in severe arterial insufficiency? Pallor when the leg is raised to a low angle, then a slow, dusky red return when the leg hangs down. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/dorsalis-pedis-artery/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** arteria dorsalis pedis TA2 4714 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Arteria dorsal del pie **English (TA2)** Dorsalis pedis artery **Also called** dorsal artery of foot ## Related - [Anterior tibial artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-tibial-artery/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Foot Arteries](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560912/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Development of the Vascular System (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain; Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): The Arteria Dorsalis Pedis (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/dorsalis-pedis-artery/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/dorsalis-pedis-artery/