Quick Facts
Origin: Plantar metatarsal arteries.
Course: Travels distally along the digits of the foot.
Branches: None.
Supplied Structures: Plantar aspect of the digits of the foot.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The plantar digital arteries arise at the level of the metatarsophalangeal joints. There are two proper plantar digital arteries that run along the medial and lateral aspects of each toe, giving ten arteries in total.
The most medial plantar digital artery arises indirectly from the medial plantar artery and sits on the medial aspect of the great toe.
The next eight arteries arise as paired vessels from the first to fourth plantar metatarsal arteries. They supply the lateral aspect of the great toe, the medial and lateral aspects of the second to fourth toes, and the medial aspect of the little toe.
The final, and most lateral artery, is a continuation of the plantar metatarsal branch of the lateral plantar artery and sits lateral to the phalanges of the little toe.
Course
Each proper plantar digital artery courses distally as far as the distal end of the distal phalanx of all five toes.
Branches
There are no named branches.
Supplied Structures
The plantar digital arteries supply the plantar aspect of the five toes.
