Quick Facts
Origin: Dorsum of the foot.
Course: Ascends in the anterior compartment of the leg and unites with the posterior tibial veins to form the popliteal vein.
Tributaries: Perforating veins and dorsalis pedis vein.
Drainage: Dorsal aspect of the foot and ankle, the tibiofibular and knee joints, and the anterior leg.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The anterior tibial veins form the venae comitantes of the dorsal pedis and anterior tibial arteries.
Course
The anterior tibial veins ascend in the anterior compartment of the leg, between the tibia and fibula. They pass posteriorly through the interosseous membrane and unite with the posterior tibial veins at the distal end of the popliteus muscle. This union forms the popliteal vein.
Tributaries
The anterior tibial veins receive the dorsalis pedis vein and the perforating veins in the ankle and leg.
Structures Drained
The anterior tibial veins drain the dorsal aspect of the foot and ankle, the tibiofibular and knee joints, and the anterior leg, including the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus and brevis, and the fibularis longus muscles.
References
Dorland, W. (2011) Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 32nd edition. Philadelphia, USA: Elsevier Saunders.
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