The plantar arch in the foot consists of what branch from the dorsalis pedis artery?

The plantar arch in the foot is primarily formed by the deep plantar artery, which is a branch of the dorsalis pedis artery. This artery plays a crucial role in supplying blood to the plantar surface of the foot. The deep plantar artery crosses the first intermetatarsal space, contributing to the formation of the plantar arch, which ultimately provides vascular supply to the toes and the sole of the foot.

The correct understanding of the vascular anatomy is essential, especially in clinical settings related to podiatry and vascular assessments. The deep plantar artery is significant as it not only connects with branches from the posterior tibial artery, such as the lateral plantar artery, but also serves as a critical pathway for blood distribution to the lower extremities.

In contrast, the other options refer to different vascular structures primarily arising from the posterior tibial artery or do not accurately represent the contribution to the plantar arch. Understanding this relationship between the dorsalis pedis artery and the deep plantar artery aids in recognizing vascular pathways and their clinical importance.