How is the plantar arch formed?
The plantar arch is formed by the anastomosis of:
- The lateral plantar artery (a. plantaris lateralis), a branch of the posterior tibial artery (a. tibialis posterior).
- The deep plantar branch from the dorsalis pedis artery (a. dorsalis pedis), which perforates the first interosseous space.
The deep plantar arch (arcus plantaris profundus) is formed primarily by the lateral plantar artery. The plantar venous arch (arcus venosus plantaris) accompanies the arterial arch.
Topography and adjacent structures
In the deep layer of the sole of the foot, along with the deep plantar arch, the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve (r. profundus n. plantaris lateralis) is indicated.
Also present in this region are:
- Muscles: square muscle of the sole (m. quadratus plantae), flexor digitorum brevis (m. flexor digitorum brevis), oblique and transverse heads of the adductor hallucis muscle (m. adductor hallucis).
- Tendons: tendon of the fibularis brevis muscle (tendo m. fibularis brevis), tendon of the fibularis longus muscle (tendo m. fibularis longus), tendon of the flexor digitorum longus muscle (tendo m. flexoris digitorum longi).
What branches does it give off?
The following arise distally from the arches:
- Plantar metatarsal arteries and veins (aa. et vv. metatarsales plantares).
- Common plantar digital arteries (aa. digitales plantares communes), which are the continuation of the metatarsal arteries.
- Proper plantar digital arteries and veins (aa. digitales plantares propriae et vv. digitales plantares), which supply the digits.
Blood supply to muscles
The blood supply to the following muscles of the foot is associated with the arch and its branches:
- Plantar interossei (mm. interossei plantares) — 3 muscles; adducts the 3rd–5th digits toward the axis of the 2nd digit.
- Dorsal interossei (mm. interossei dorsales) — 4 two-headed muscles; abducts the 2nd–4th digits away from the axis of the 2nd digit.
- Lumbricals (mm. lumbricales) — 4 muscles; flex the metatarsophalangeal joints of the 2nd–5th digits and extend the interphalangeal joints.
- Abductor hallucis (m. abductor hallucis).
- Adductor hallucis (m. adductor hallucis).
To remember the function of the interosseous muscles, the mnemonic is used: DAB (Dorsal ABduct) and PAD (Plantar ADduct).
Class and exam questions
Which arteries form the plantar arch?
It is formed by the anastomosis of the lateral plantar artery and the deep plantar branch from the dorsalis pedis artery, which perforates the first interosseous space.
Which nerve runs alongside the deep plantar arch?
In the deep layer of the sole, along with the arch, the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve (r. profundus n. plantaris lateralis) is indicated.
What vessels do the branches of the plantar arch lead into?
The plantar metatarsal arteries arise from the arch; they continue into the common plantar digital arteries, followed by the proper plantar digital arteries.
What else to study on this topic
- Lateral plantar artery (a. plantaris lateralis)
- Dorsalis pedis artery (a. dorsalis pedis)
- Muscles of the sole of the foot
- Plantar nerves (nn. plantares medialis et lateralis)
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