Anatomical Study of the Formation, Completeness,  and Variations of the Plantar Arterial Arch in  Human Cadaveric Lower Limbs

Prashant Kumar; Anjoo Yadav; Shilpi Garg; Shweta Gupta

Prashant Kumar Professor, Department of Anatomy, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India
Anjoo Yadav Professor and HOD, Department of Anatomy, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India
Shilpi Garg Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India
Shweta Gupta Associate professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, Jaipur National University institute for Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Keywords: Plantar Arterial Arch, Lateral Plantar Artery, Deep Plantar Branch, Dorsalis Pedis Artery, Sarrafian Classification, Cadaveric Study, Vascular Anatomy, Foot Surgery, Anatomical Variation

Abstract

Introduction: The plantar arterial arch is an important vascular structure in the sole of the foot, primarily formed by the lateral plantar artery and the deep plantar branch of the dorsalis pedis artery. Knowledge
of its variations is essential for surgical procedures involving the foot, including vascular, reconstructive, and diabetic foot surgeries. This study was conducted to evaluate the formation patterns, completeness, and branching variations of the plantar arterial arch through cadaveric dissection.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive observational study was conducted on 50 formalin-fixed adult human cadaveric lower limbs in the Department of Anatomy at [Insert Institution Name], following institutional ethical approval. Standard dissection techniques were employed to expose and study the plantar arterial arch, with specific attention to its formation, completeness, contributing arteries, and the branching pattern of plantar metatarsal arteries. Findings were classified according to Sarrafian’s classification into Types A to F and
documented through photographs and descriptive records.
Results: A complete plantar arterial arch was observed in 44 specimens (88%), while 6 specimens (12%) showed incomplete arches. The lateral plantar artery was the dominant contributor in 28 limbs (56%), the deep
plantar branch of the dorsalis pedis artery in 12 limbs (24%), and equal contributions were seen in 10 limbs (20%). Type C (24%) and Type B (20%) were the most common patterns observed. The fibular plantar
marginal artery was present in 92% of cases.
Conclusion: The study reaffirms the predominance of complete plantar arterial arches and lateral plantar artery dominance, highlighting the clinical relevance of understanding these anatomical variations for
surgical safety and planning.

How to cite this article:
Kumar P, Yadav A, Garg S, Gupta S. Anatomical
Study of the Formation, Completeness, and
Variations of the Plantar Arterial Arch in Human
Cadaveric Lower Limbs. Int J Preven Curat Comm
Med. 2025;11(3&4):41-46

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2454.325X.202507

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