TIBIAL ARTERIES

Abstract

During our research we studied the vessels of the leg and especially the anatomic variations of the tibial, peroneal and pedis arteries. The orthopedic surgeons, especially those who are specialized in operant radiology and angiography, should be conversant with all the anatomic variations of the vessels, running below the popliteal level. Our research was carried out in the Anatomic Laboratory of Athens University and we dissected 100 cadavers. We had great difficulties in describing the arteries, which run below the level of the popliteal bothrium. We have agreed in regarding the peroneal artery as the basic one, because it substitutes for the tibial artery when the last one is missing. When the anterior tibial is missing, the dorsalis pedis arises from the peroneal artery. In a same way, when the posterior tibial is missing, the pedis arteries arise from the peroneal artery. Very interesting is the variability of the branch, which supplies the tibial bone. In 50% of the cases this branch arises from the posterior tibial-peroneal trunk or from the posterior and anterior tibial artery or rarely from the peroneal and popliteal artery. The origin of the branch, which supplies the tibial bone, can affect the morphology of the bone (the correspondent foramen of the tibial bone).

The variations can be classified in the following way:

1. The typical anatomic knowledge: The peroneal artery gives an anastomosis branch to the posterior tibial artery and a perforating branch to the anterior tibial artery (85%)

2. The dorsalis pedis is formed by two equal branches, arising from the peroneal and the anterior tibial artery (2%)

3. The perforating branch of the peroneal artery forms the dorsalis pedis artery, while the anterior tibial is missing (7%)

4. The posterior tibial artery is missing and the pedis arteries arise from the peroneal (6%)