Vascular anomalies in the course and branching pattern of the dorsalis pedis artery: A case report

Abstract

The dorsalis pedis artery (DPA) vascularizes most of the dorsum of the foot where it provides several branches. During a scheduled examination of the lower extremities of a male cadaver, a significant deviation was observed in the course and pattern of distribution of the left DPA. The artery trifurcated from its point of origin and was found to deviate from its normal course on the superior surface of the intermediate cuneiform, talus, and navicular bones. A lack of the arcuate artery was observed, and a varied branching pattern was established among the branches of the DPA on the dorsum of the foot. Knowing the detailed anatomy of the DPA and understanding its variability is of great clinical importance to surgeons, radiologists, and orthopedists due to the usefulness of this artery in different surgical interventions relating to the foot.