Vessel
Dorsalis pedis artery
Artery of the dorsum of the foot
High-yield
Palpated lateral to the extensor hallucis longus tendon on the dorsum of the foot; a key peripheral pulse.
Overview
The continuation of the anterior tibial artery on the dorsum of the foot; its pulse is a routine check of distal limb perfusion.
Reference facts
- Type
Muscular artery
- Origin
Anterior tibial artery (at the ankle)
- Branches / tributaries
Arcuate artery; Deep plantar artery; Dorsal metatarsal arteries
- Supplies
Dorsum of the foot; contributes to the plantar arch
- Course
Runs on the dorsum of the foot from the ankle to the proximal first intermetatarsal space