Variations of branching pattern of the dorsalis pedis artery: A cadaveric study

Abstract

Background: Dorsalis pedis artery (DPA) is the chief artery of foot. It provides nutrition to the dorsum of the foot. Palpation of DPA is essential for the diagnosis of peripheral vascular diseases. Cutaneous flaps supplied by branches of DPA are used in various reconstruction surgeries. Methodology: 50 meticulously dissected lower limbs of both sides and known sex were observed for morphometry, asymmetry and sexual dimorphism of DPA and its branches. Variations like absent arcuate artery and extra lateral tarsal arteries were looked for. Results: Absent arcuate artery was seen in 12%. Three tarsal metatarsal arteries and two tarsal metatarsal arteries were seen in 4% and 16%, respectively. An extremely rare case of U-shaped loop joining two tarsal metatarsal arteries was seen in two limbs. Conclusion: Rare variations like multiple tarsal arteries joined by U-shaped loop and absent arcuate artery seen in our study are of importance for reconstruction surgeries using DPA flaps.