The plantar arch in the foot consists of what branch from the posterior tibial artery?

The plantar arch in the foot primarily consists of branches from the lateral plantar artery, which is a terminal branch of the posterior tibial artery. The lateral plantar artery runs laterally across the foot and contributes to the formation of the plantar arch by joining with deep branches from the dorsalis pedis artery. This arch supplies blood to the plantar aspect of the foot, including the toes and the metatarsals.

The lateral plantar artery is critical for ensuring adequate blood flow to the structures in the foot, which is essential for both movement and overall foot health. In contrast, the medial plantar artery mainly supplies the medial aspect of the foot, and while it is a branch of the posterior tibial artery, it does not directly contribute to the plantar arch's formation. Other choices, such as the deep plantar artery and the dorsalis pedis artery, serve different roles in foot circulation and are not branches that form the plantar arch directly. Understanding these anatomical relationships is crucial when assessing vascular structures during ultrasound examinations or in a clinical setting.