Clare Hargreaves-Norris

Blood supply of the Leg and Foot

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Clare Hargreaves-Norris

Blood Vessels

Blood is transported around the body in different vessels called:

Arteries – carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Veins – carry de-oxygenated blood from the body back to the heart.

Capillaries – are the smallest vessels and carry both oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood.

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Arteries

The leg and foot are nourished by a system of arteries that carry oxygenated blood to the tissues. If a person is cold and when the circulation is severely poor, they may develop chilblains.

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Arteries of the leg and foot

Label the diagram, in your package of the main arteries of the lower leg and foot.

Anterior tibial artery

Dorsalis pedis artery Digital

arteries

Metatarsal artery

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Arteries of the leg and foot

The main arteries of the lower leg are the anterior and posterior tibial artery. The anterior tibial artery supplies the front of the leg and the posterior tibial artery supplies the back of the leg. At the ankle, the anterior tibial artery becomes the dorsalis pedis artery, which supplies the top of the foot. This then subdivides into the digital arteries, which supply the toes. The medial and lateral plantar arteries supply the sole of the foot.

Anterior tibial artery

Dorsalis pedis artery Digital

arteries

Metatarsal artery

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Veins

A surface network of veins carry waste products and de-oxygenated blood away from the foot and leg, back to the heart. Veins contain valves to prevent backflow of the blood, they are also situated in-between muscles which help pump the blood back towards the heart.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris

Veins of the Leg and Foot

Label the diagram in your package, of the main veins of the lower leg and foot.

Dorsal venous arch

Digital veins

Anterior tibial vein

Saphenous vein

Dorsalis pedis veins

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Veins of the Leg and Foot

The blood in the digital veins of the toes drains back to the dorsal venous arches in the back of the foot and the plantar arch in the sole of the foot. From here, the blood drains into the dorsalis pedis vein and upwards on its journey back to the heart. The blood continues its upward journey via the saphenous, peroneal, anterior tibial veins and posterior tibial veins. The saphenous vein is a superficial vein that commences at the back of the ankle up to behind the knee and is fed by many small veins in the foot.

Dorsal venous arch

Digital veins

Anterior tibial vein

Saphenous vein

Dorsalis pedis veins

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What is the function of blood?

Transports oxygen from the lungs to tissues and organs of the body

Transports nutrients from the digestive system

Transports waste products to the kidneys Transports carbon dioxide back to the lungs Transports hormones to their target organs

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What is blood made of?

Blood is composed of: Plasma – the liquid portion of the blood Red blood cells – transport oxygen White blood cells – fight infection Blood proteins - nutrients Platelets – helps blood to clot