Origins of the dorsal metatarsal arteries in humans.

The foot is indispensable for man's daily activities and the integrity of its structure depends on its irrigation. The number of bypass operations for its arteries therefore increases as well as the use of vascularised flaps to cover defects in its dorsal region. To find out more details about the irrigation of the dorsum of foot, the formation of dorsal metatarsal arteries (DMA) was examined in 50 feet of 25 fixed cadavers of Brazilian adults of both sexes. The feet arteries were injected with neoprene latex dyed red, and then dissected. The first DMA originated from the dorsalis pedis artery in 86%, from the plantar network in 10% and the origin was mixed in 4%. The second DMA originated from the arcuate artery exclusively in 10%, the third DMA in 6%, and the fourth DMA in 10%. In its absence (48%), the lateral tarsal arteries and the proximal perforating branches were responsible for the formation of the second DMA in 52%, of the third DMA in 54%, and of the fourth DMA in 72%. The proximal perforating branches made an important contribution to the formation of such arteries, contributing partially or totally to the second DMA in 90%, to the third DMA in 92%, and to the fourth DMA in 86%.