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Lateral Tarsal Artery
Cardiovascular System

Lateral Tarsal Artery

Arteria tarsea lateralis

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Quick Facts

Origin: Dorsalis pedis artery.

Course: Laterally, deep to the extensor digitorum brevis muscle, towards the lateral aspect of the foot.

Branches: Contributes to the lateral malleolar network.

Supplied Structures: Lateral aspect of the tarsal bones and its respective intertarsal joints.

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Origin

The lateral tarsal artery arises from the dorsalis pedis artery. It may originate at the junction of the head and neck of the talus bone (in approximately 60% of individuals), at the ankle joint (in approximately 20% of individuals), or distal to the talonavicular joint (in approximately 20% of individuals) (Tubbs, Shoja and Loukas, 2016).

Course

From its origin, the lateral tarsal artery extends laterally, deep to the extensor digitorum brevis muscle, and contributes to the lateral malleolar network.

Branches

There are no named branches; however, the lateral tarsal artery aids in the formation of the lateral malleolar network via its anastomosis with the lateral malleolar branches of the fibular artery, anterior lateral malleolar artery, and the perforating branch of the fibular artery.

Supplied Structures

The lateral tarsal artery supplies the extensor digitorum brevis muscle and the articulations between the tarsal bones.

References

Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M. and Loukas, M. (2016) Bergman's Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation. Wiley.

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