What is a major branch of the dorsalis pedis artery?

The major branch of the dorsalis pedis artery is the deep plantar artery. This artery plays a crucial role in supplying blood to the structures of the foot. It typically descends to anastomose with the lateral plantar artery to form the plantar arch, which provides further blood supply to the plantar aspect of the foot and the toes.

The deep plantar artery arises directly from the dorsalis pedis artery and travels between the first and second metatarsal bones, reinforcing the vascular supply crucial for the foot’s anatomy and function. Understanding the branching pattern of the dorsalis pedis artery is essential for vascular anatomy, particularly in the context of foot pathology and procedures such as amputations or vascular surgeries.

Other options, such as the medial and lateral plantar arteries, are branches of the posterior tibial artery and do not originate from the dorsalis pedis artery. The posterior tibial artery itself is a separate artery that supplies the posterior compartment of the leg and branches into the medial and lateral plantar arteries, but it is not a branch of the dorsalis pedis artery.