Question

describe the anatomy of the arterial supply and venous drainage of the lower limb

Answer 1

The deep veins of the lower limb can be separated into four main groups, according to their location,Veins of the foot, Veins of the leg, Vein of the knee, Veins of the thigh.

The foot consists of two main types of deep veins, Plantar veins, which drain the plantar surface or underside of the foot, Dorsal veins, which drain the dorsal or upper surface of the foot, dorsal venous arch, which mostly drains into the superficial veins. Some veins from the arch penetrate deep into the leg, forming the anterior tibial vein.On the plantar aspect of the foot, medial and lateral plantar veins arise. These veins combine to form the posterior tibial and fibular veins.On the posterior surface of the knee, the anterior tibial, posterior tibial and fibular veins unite to form the popliteal vein, The popliteal vein drains into short saphenous vein which enters the thigh to form femoral vein, The femoral vein leaves the thigh by running underneath the inguinal ligament, to form the external iliac vein.

Arterial supply of lower limbs,The main artery of the lower limb is the femoral artery. It is a continuation of the external iliac artery.  The common femoral artery becomes the superficial femoral artery at the point where it gives off the profunda femoris. The profunda femoris travels posteriorly and distally, giving off three main branches, the first branches  contribuits to the supply of the muscles in the medial and posterior thigh.The second branch  supplys some of the muscles on the lateral aspect of the thigh. The third branch, wraps round the posterior side of the femur, supplying its neck and head.Femoral artery forms the poplietal artery. The popliteal artery terminates into the anterior tibial artery and the tibioperoneal trunk. The anterior tibial artery passes through the interosseous membrane to reach the anterior compartment of the leg. It continues to the dorsum of the foot as the dorsalis pedis artery. The tibioperoneal trunk divides into the posterior tibial and peroneal arteries. The posterior tibial artery passes downwards and behind the medial malleolus. It divides into medial and lateral plantar arteries.

Summary of veins that drain lower limb.

Dorsal metatarsal veins ---> dorsal venous arch (foot) ---> small saphemous vein ----->Anterior tibial vein ---->posterior tibial vein --->poplietal vein ---->Great saphenous vein ----> femoral vein ----> external iliac vein.

Summary of artery that drain lower limb.

Arcuate artery ---> dorsalis pedal artery ---> posterior tibial artery --->Anterior tibial artery ------>poplietal artery --->femoral artery ----> external iliac artery ----> common iliac artery.