Lower Limb Arteries

All of the lower limb arteries carry oxygenated blood to, bones muscles and ligaments in the knee, thigh and leg. All this comes from the femoral artery, which in turn is derived from the external iliac artery. Therefore we can say that the femoral artery is the mother of all lower extremity arterial system, which is a continuation of the external iliac, ranging from the level of the inguinal ligament in the pelvis.

After driving a short distance of about 10 to 12 cm, divided into deep femoral artery and femoral external femoral, the first project the following branches: the lateral circumflex femoral artery, a branch off the lateral femoral circumflex and branches of the perforator supplying the femur. In contrast, the external femoral have longer course, supply the muscles of the thighs, and reach the knee continues or becomes the popliteal artery, which passes behind the knee anterior tibial artery divided into and posterior tibial arteries.

The course also has a leg tibialis anterior decreased and vertical runs along the front, between the tibia and fibula in his journey accompanied by anterior tibial vein, and finally, after passing the upper ankle joint, a dorsalis pedis artery. Tibialis posterior, larger caliber than ever, along the back of the foot and provides the following branches: artery fibular (or peroneal), mean arterial plantar and lateral plantar arteries, which carry oxygenated blood to the legs.