24.28:
Arteries of Lower Limbs
Originating from the abdominal aorta, the right and left common iliac arteries and their branches supply the pelvis and lower limbs.
At the sacroiliac joints, each common iliac artery divides into the internal and external iliac arteries.
The internal iliac arteries and their numerous branches primarily supply blood to the pelvic organs, gluteal region, and perineum. The external iliac arteries and their branches supply to the anterior abdominal wall and limbs.
Descending in each limb, the external iliac artery becomes the femoral artery. Its branches, including the deep artery of the thigh, are the main supplying vessels to the proximal thigh muscles.
The femoral artery is also clinically significant for cardiac catheterization — a common procedure in coronary angiography or bypass surgery.
As the femoral artery passes through the adductor hiatus, it becomes the popliteal artery, supplying to the knee joint, the distal thigh muscles, and the tibia and fibula.
The popliteal artery divides into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries, supplying the anterior and posterior parts of the leg, foot, and toes.
24.28:
Arteries of Lower Limbs
The external iliac artery transitions out of the body cavity, entering the femoral region of the lower leg, and is renamed the femoral artery at the point where it traverses the body wall. This artery is responsible for the distribution of blood to the thigh's deep muscles and the skin's ventral and lateral regions, achieved through several minor branches and the lateral deep femoral artery, which also spawns a lateral circumflex artery. The knee area receives blood from the genicular artery, another offshoot of the femoral artery. The femoral artery takes on a new name, the popliteal artery, as it navigates behind the knee near the popliteal fossa. From here, it branches into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.
The anterior tibial artery, situated between the tibia and fibula, directs blood to the anterior tibial region's skin and muscles. This artery transforms into the dorsalis pedis artery in the tarsal region, which subsequently gives rise to numerous branches that feed blood to the foot's tarsal and dorsal regions. Serving the posterior surface of the tibial region, the posterior tibial artery delivers blood to the respective muscles and skin. The posterior tibial artery also gives birth to the fibular or peroneal artery, which splits into the medial plantar artery and lateral plantar artery that cater to the plantar surfaces. These arteries interact with the dorsalis pedis artery and form two arches – the dorsal arch (or arcuate arch) and the plantar arch – ensuring the supply of blood to the rest of the foot and toes.