Sural arteries

The sural arteries (aa. surales; inferior muscular arteries) are large branches, which are distributed to the Gastrocnemius, Soleus, and Plantaris. They arise from the popliteal artery opposite the knee-joint.

Some specific sural arteries are described:

• The medial sural artery typically originates from the popliteal artery and runs along with the medial sural cutaneous nerve. It supplies the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the posterior calf.

• The lateral sural artery also usually arises from the popliteal artery and accompanies the lateral sural cutaneous nerve. It provides blood to the lateral aspect of the posterior calf.

• The median superficial sural artery is often found in conjunction with the sural nerve and the lesser saphenous vein. It is the most frequently detected artery in anatomical studies and is located lateral to the medial cutaneous sural nerve and sural nerve, while the lesser saphenous vein is located medially.[1]