Perforating branches of plantar metatarsal arteries

The plantar metatarsal arteries are branches of the posterior tibial artery that arise from the deep plantar arch, which is formed by the anastomosis of the deep plantar artery and the lateral plantar artery.

The plantar metatarsal arteries are four in number, and run forward between the metatarsal bones and in contact with the Interossei.

Each divides into a pair of plantar digital arteries which supply the adjacent sides of the toes.

Near their points of division each sends upward an anterior perforating branch to join the corresponding dorsal metatarsal artery. The first plantar metatarsal artery (arteria princeps hallucis) springs from the junction between the lateral plantar and deep plantar arteries and sends a digital branch to the medial side of the first toe. The digital branch for the lateral side of the fifth toe arise from the lateral plantar artery near the base of the fifth metatarsal bone.