Anterior tibial artery
Arteria tibialis anterior
The anterior tibial artery is the smaller terminal branch of the popliteal artery. It passes forward above the interosseous membrane into the anterior compartment of the leg and becomes the dorsalis pedis artery at the ankle.
Overview
The artery arises at the lower border of popliteus and passes forward through the gap above the upper edge of the interosseous membrane. It then runs down on the front of the membrane with the deep fibular nerve, between tibialis anterior and the long extensor muscles of the toes and big toe (extensor digitorum longus and extensor hallucis longus). It ends in front of the ankle joint, midway between the malleoli, where it becomes the dorsalis pedis artery.
Anatomy
- Branches
The posterior and anterior tibial recurrent arteries (to the knee anastomosis), muscular branches, and the anterior medial and anterior lateral malleolar arteries.
Function
- Supplies the anterior (extensor) compartment of the leg and the front of the ankle.
- Continues as the dorsalis pedis artery to supply the dorsum of the foot.
Clinical significance
Anterior compartment syndrome
Swelling inside the tight anterior compartment, after a tibial fracture or after blood flow returns to an ischaemic limb, compresses the vessels and the deep fibular nerve. Pain on passively stretching the toes is an early warning sign, and the treatment is urgent fasciotomy. Loss of the pulse is a late sign.
Compiled from standard anatomy and physiology references — see the Cardiovascular System sources. For education only; not medical advice.