The structure of the human body, especially the vascular system of the legs, is something that many people are curious about and want to learn about. To better understand this issue, learn more about the vascular anatomy of the lower leg in the following article!
1. What are blood vessels? Information on vascular anatomy
Blood vessels are a system of tubes found throughout the body that help carry blood from the heart to other organs in the body and then return it to the heart. Given this important role, blood vessels play an important role in sustaining life.
Blood vessels play an important role in maintaining life
The vascular system includes three main types, each of which has its own characteristics and is responsible for different functions, in particular:
Arteries
Carry blood from the heart to the organs and tissues of the body. The aorta is the largest artery and branches into smaller arteries to supply blood to different areas.
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Transports blood from organs and tissues back to the heart. Veins are responsible for transporting blood that has been exchanged with oxygen and nutrients back to the heart to continue returning to circulation.
Capillaries
They are the smallest blood vessels that connect arteries and veins. This is where the exchange of oxygen, nutrients and waste products between blood and tissue takes place.
2. Vascular anatomy of the lower leg and information you need to know
Leg blood vessels are an important part of the circulatory system of the lower limbs and supply blood to the muscles and tissues of this area, including four types:
- Internal iliac artery;
- External iliac artery;
- internal iliac vein;
- External iliac vein.
Leg blood vessels have a very complex structure
Below you will find a detailed description of the vascular anatomy of the lower leg, in particular as follows:
Internal iliac artery
Obturator artery
The obturator artery is one of the arteries that supplies blood to the pelvis and thighs. The obturator artery passes through a small opening called the obturator foramen in the pelvis and divides into branches that supply blood to the muscles and tissues in the thigh area and some parts of the pelvis.
Gluteal artery
Blood supply to the buttocks and thighs. The gluteal artery divides into two main branches, namely the superior gluteal artery and the inferior gluteal artery.
Internal pubic artery
The internal pudendal artery is one of the last branches of the internal iliac artery after that artery branches to other structures in the pelvis. The internal pudendal artery passes through the lesser pudendal foramen after passing through the pelvis and then travels downward in the pelvis and genitals. The internal pudendal artery’s job is to supply blood to the external genitalia and help maintain the health and function of these organs.
External iliac artery
Femoral artery
The femoral artery arises from the external iliac artery; when the external iliac artery passes through the inguinal ligament, it becomes the femoral artery. The femoral artery runs along the anterior and inner part of the thigh in a channel called the femoral canal and branches to supply blood to different parts of the leg. The femoral artery branches into the profunda femoris, and the femoral artery continues to become the popliteal artery as it passes through the popliteal region.
popliteal artery
This is a continuation of the femoral artery that runs through the popliteal canal, a diamond-shaped area behind the knee. The popliteal artery plays an important role in supplying blood to the lower leg.
Anterior tibial artery
The anterior tibial artery arises from the popliteal artery when the popliteal artery divides below the knee into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries. The anterior tibial artery runs along the front of the leg, passes through a gap between two muscles called the anterior tibial intermuscular gap, and then continues to the foot. This artery primarily supplies blood to the front muscles of the leg, including the toe flexors and extensors of the foot and the dorsal branch of the foot.
Dorsal artery
The dorsalis pedis artery is a continuation of the tibial artery before it reaches the dorsalis pedis region. The dorsalis pedis artery runs along the top of the foot, from the ankle to the toes. It runs across the top of the foot and lies just beneath the skin and soft tissue in this area. The dorsalis pedis artery plays an important role in supplying blood to the muscles and soft tissues on the instep and toes, helping to maintain foot function and health.
Posterior tibial artery
The posterior tibial artery runs along the back of the leg, crossing a gap in the muscle group at the back of the leg, and continuing to the heel. The posterior tibial artery supplies blood to the muscles and soft tissues on the back of the lower leg, including the muscles that help with flexing the toes and with standing and walking.
Peroneusarterie
The peroneal artery arises from the posterior tibial artery, usually a smaller branch located on the back and outside of the lower leg. The peroneal artery runs on the lateral side of the leg along the lateral surface of the fibula. It runs through the soft tissues between the muscles and the fibula. The peroneal artery plays an important role in supplying blood to the muscles and soft tissues on the humeral side of the lower leg, including the muscles involved in rotation and adjustment of the foot.
Lateral and medial plantar arteries
The medial plantar artery is smaller than the external plantar artery. The internal plantar artery runs along the line from the tip of the foot through the heel to the first interosseous space and supplies blood mainly to the big toe. Meanwhile, the internal plantar artery runs from the posterior tubercle in the calcaneus to the 4th interosseous space and then to the 1st interosseous space to form the plantar artery, which supplies blood to the entire sole of the foot.
Internal iliac vein
Includes the gluteal vein, sciatic vein, internal pudendal vein and obturator vein.
External iliac vein
Includes deep veins, superficial veins and marginal veins.
The blood vessels of the legs play a role in maintaining blood circulation and helping to supply and exchange the necessary substances for muscles and tissues.
Above you will find information about the vascular anatomy of the lower leg, in the hope of providing readers with the necessary information and interesting discoveries about the secrets of the body. If you have any questions or need health advice, please contact us MEDLATEC Gesundheitssystem per Hotline 1900 56 56 56 to help.
