Vessel
Anterior tibial artery
Arterial route through the front of the leg to the foot
High-yield
In the anterior compartment, the artery travels near the deep fibular nerve along the interosseous membrane. Its name changes at the ankle, but the blood vessel remains continuous.
Overview
The anterior tibial artery leaves the popliteal artery and enters the anterior leg through an opening near the top of the interosseous membrane. It supplies the anterior compartment and continues across the ankle as the dorsalis pedis artery.
Reference facts
- Origin
- A terminal branch of the popliteal artery, usually arising near the lower border of popliteus
- Course
- Crosses an upper opening in the interosseous membrane, descends in the anterior compartment with the deep fibular nerve, and reaches the front of the ankle
- Branches
- Recurrent branches toward the knee, muscular branches and anterior malleolar branches; continues as dorsalis pedis
- Supplies
- Muscles and other tissues of the anterior leg, with onward supply to the dorsal foot
Clinical correlation
The artery is relatively fixed where it crosses the interosseous membrane and may be injured during procedures around the tibia. After leg trauma, a palpable foot pulse does not exclude acute compartment syndrome, which needs emergency assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the anterior tibial artery originate?
A terminal branch of the popliteal artery, usually arising near the lower border of popliteus.
What does the anterior tibial artery supply?
The anterior tibial artery supplies the muscles and other tissues of the anterior leg, with onward supply to the dorsal foot.
What are the branches of the anterior tibial artery?
Recurrent branches toward the knee, muscular branches and anterior malleolar branches; continues as dorsalis pedis.
What is the course of the anterior tibial artery?
Crosses an upper opening in the interosseous membrane, descends in the anterior compartment with the deep fibular nerve, and reaches the front of the ankle.