Calcaneal branches of posterior tibial artery

The posterior tibial artery typically gives off two or three medial calcaneal branches that penetrate the calcaneus below the sustentaculum tali, supplying the medial part of the posterior joint and sometimes some a lateral calcaneal branch.

• The medial calcaneal arteries (rami calcanei mediales; internal calcaneal) are several large arteries which arise from the posterior tibial just before its division; they pierce the flexor retinaculum of the foot (laciniate ligament )and are distributed to the fat and integument behind the tendo calcaneus and about the heel, and to the muscles on the tibial side of the sole, anastomosing with the peroneal and medial malleolar and, on the back of the heel, with the lateral calcaneal arteries. The largest posterior branch, often referred to as the main calcaneal branch, is frequently observed to nourish the superior part of the calcaneus.

• Additionally, the posterior tibial artery can give rise to a lateral calcaneal artery, although in some cases, this lateral supply may originate from the fibular artery (Calcaneal branches of fibular artery)