Arteries Of The Leg

Front 1

common iliac arteries

Back 1

The right and left common iliac arteries arise from the distal aorta in the posterior pelvic area. These pass down and divide into the internal and external iliac arteries.

Front 2

internal iliac

Back 2

Supplies the gluteal muscles and the organs of the pelvic region.

Front 3

external iliac

Back 3

Passes out of the pelvic cavity underneath the inguinal ligament. At this point it becomes the femoral artery.

Front 4

femoral

Back 4

The major artery from which several other vessels arise. It is derived from the word femur for the femur bone in that area. There are several branches of the femoral artery which also are named for it: medial femoral circumflex, lateral femoral circumflex, common femoral, superficial femoral, deep femoral.

Front 5

iliac circumflex

Back 5

There is both a superficial and a deep iliac circumflex artery. These are near in proximity to the ilium bone.

Front 6

gluteal

Back 6

There are both superior and inferior gluteal arteries, which supply blood to the gluteal region.

Front 7

sacral

Back 7

There are both lateral and median sacral arteries. They supply the sacrum, coccyx, and rectum.

Front 8

pudendal

Back 8

There are both internal and external pudendal arteries. These were also covered in the arteries of the torso.

Front 9

obturator

Back 9

Arises off the internal iliac and supplies the pelvic muscles and hip joints.

Front 10

perforating

Back 10

There are three perforating arteries. These arise off the deep femoral artery and perforate (which means to pierce or bore through) the adductor magnus muscle to reach the back of the thigh. They supply the adductor, hamstring, gluteal muscles, and femur.

Front 11

genicular

Back 11

There are several genicular arteries, including the descending genicular, inferior lateral genicular, inferior medial genicular, middle genicular, superior lateral genicular, and superior medial genicular. The name is derived from the root word genu meaning "knee."

Front 12

popliteal

Back 12

The femoral artery becomes the popliteal artery as it passes across the back of the knee. It is a large artery with several branches. It supplies the calf region.

Front 13

sural

Back 13

Arises off of the popliteal and supplies the calf region.

Front 14

tibial

Back 14

There are anterior and posterior tibial arteries, as well as anterior tibial recurrent. The name is derived from the tibia bone.

Front 15

fibular

Back 15

The fibular artery comes off the posterior tibial artery and has several branches, including a fibular circumflex branch. It supplies the ankle and deep calf muscles.

Front 16

peroneal

Back 16

The term peroneal literally means pertaining to the fibula or outer side of the leg. It is very important not to confuse this term with perineal, which is derived from perineum and refers to the region between the thighs. There is both a peroneal and a perforating peroneal artery. Quick tip: Remember the o in peroneal represents the outer side of the leg.

Front 17

malleolar

Back 17

The term malleolus refers to a rounded protuberance. Usually when it is used in medical reports it is referring to the ankle. There is a medial malleolar branch, a lateral malleolar branch, a medial anterior malleolar artery, and a lateral anterior malleolar artery. They all basically supply the region of the ankle joint.

Front 18

dorsal of foot

Back 18

A continuation of the anterior tibial artery. It distributes blood to the foot and toes. The pulsation of blood through this artery is called the dorsalis pedis pulse and is often checked on examinations.

Front 19

dorsalis pedis pulse

Back 19

The pulsation of blood through the dorsal of foot.

Front 20

tarsal

Back 20

There are both a lateral tarsal artery and a medial tarsal artery. They distribute to the tarsus, which is the region between the foot and the leg.

Front 21

plantar

Back 21

There is a deep* plantar artery, an external plantar artery, a lateral plantar artery, and medial plantar artery. These supply the sole of the foot.

Front 22

arcuate

Back 22

Arises off the dorsal artery of the foot and supplies the foot and toes. The term arcuate means literally shaped like an arc and you may see this term used elsewhere.

Front 23

metatarsals

Back 23

There are both dorsal and plantar metatarsal arteries. Both of these descriptive terms should be familiar to you. These arteries distribute blood to the toes.