Posterior Tibial Artery Flashcards

Examine the posterior tibial artery's origin, course, muscular relations, branches, plantar circulation, and clinical landmarks.

Card 1 of 28Question

From which artery does the posterior tibial artery arise?

The popliteal artery.

In This Section

1. From which artery does the posterior tibial artery arise?

The popliteal artery.

2. Where does the posterior tibial artery originate?

At the inferior border of the popliteus muscle, where the popliteal artery divides.

3. Which compartment of the leg contains the posterior tibial artery?

The deep posterior compartment.

4. What is the general course of the posterior tibial artery?

It descends through the deep posterior leg and passes behind the medial malleolus into the sole.

5. Which muscle lies anterior to the proximal posterior tibial artery?

The tibialis posterior muscle.

6. Which muscle covers the posterior tibial artery superficially in much of the leg?

The soleus muscle.

7. Which nerve accompanies the posterior tibial artery?

The tibial nerve.

8. What is the usual relationship of the tibial nerve to the posterior tibial artery in the distal leg?

The nerve lies lateral to the artery.

9. Which veins accompany the posterior tibial artery?

The paired posterior tibial veins, forming venae comitantes.

10. What is the largest proximal branch of the posterior tibial artery?

The fibular artery, also called the peroneal artery.

11. What is the principal arterial territory of the fibular artery?

The lateral and posterolateral leg, including adjacent muscles and the fibula.

12. Which branch of the posterior tibial artery commonly supplies the tibial shaft?

The nutrient artery of the tibia.

13. Which muscles receive direct muscular branches from the posterior tibial artery?

Tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, and soleus.

14. Which branch of the posterior tibial artery contributes to the medial malleolar arterial network?

The medial malleolar branches.

15. Which branches of the posterior tibial artery supply the heel?

The medial calcaneal branches.

16. Which fascial structure forms the roof of the tarsal tunnel?

The flexor retinaculum.

17. Where does the posterior tibial artery pass relative to the medial malleolus?

Posterior and inferior to the medial malleolus, deep to the flexor retinaculum.

18. What is the anterior-to-posterior arrangement of structures behind the medial malleolus?

Tibialis posterior tendon, flexor digitorum longus tendon, posterior tibial vessels, tibial nerve, and flexor hallucis longus tendon.

19. Which tendon lies immediately anterior to the posterior tibial vessels in the tarsal tunnel?

The flexor digitorum longus tendon.

20. What are the two terminal branches of the posterior tibial artery?

The medial plantar and lateral plantar arteries.

21. Where does the posterior tibial artery usually terminate?

Deep to the abductor hallucis near the medial side of the heel.

22. Which terminal branch is usually smaller and supplies the medial sole?

The medial plantar artery.

23. Which terminal branch provides the main contribution to the deep plantar arterial arch?

The lateral plantar artery.

24. Which artery completes the deep plantar arch by joining the lateral plantar artery?

The deep plantar branch of the dorsalis pedis artery.

25. Where is the posterior tibial arterial pulse palpated?

Posterior to the medial malleolus, between it and the calcaneal tendon.

26. What is the clinical significance of the posterior tibial pulse?

It helps assess distal lower limb perfusion and detect peripheral arterial disease.

27. Which artery is assessed alongside the posterior tibial artery when examining foot pulses?

The dorsalis pedis artery.

28. How can posterior tibial artery disease affect the plantar foot?

Reduced blood flow may cause plantar ischemia, impaired wound healing, or tissue loss.