| Artery: Posterior tibial artery | |
|---|---|
| Back of left lower extremity, showing surface markings for bones, vessels, and nerves. (Posterior tibial artery labeled at bottom right.) | |
| Latin | arteria tibialis posterior |
| Gray's | subject #162 637 |
| Source | popliteal artery |
| Branches | fibular artery, medial plantar artery, lateral plantar artery |
| Vein | posterior tibial vein |
The posterior tibial artery of the lower limb carries blood to the posterior compartment of the leg and plantar surface of the foot, from the popliteal artery. It is accompanied by a deep vein, the posterior tibial vein, along its course.
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It typically gives rise to the fibular artery.[1]
It also gives rise to medial plantar artery and lateral plantar artery.
In addition a calcaneal branch to the medial aspect of the calcaneus.
The posterior tibial artery pulse can be readily palpated posterior and inferior to the medial malleolus and is often examined by physicians when assessing a patient for peripheral vascular disease. It is very rarely absent in young and healthy individuals; in a study of 547 healthy individuals only one person did not have a palpable posterior tibial artery. [2] It is easily palpated over Pimenta's Point.
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