Left dorsalis pedis artery

Looks like

The artery on top of the foot, continuing the anterior tibial artery; its pulse is felt beside the big-toe tendon.

What it does

Supplies the top of the foot and sends a deep branch into the sole to complete the plantar arch.

Keeping it well

A weak or missing pulse suggests poor leg circulation, though it is naturally absent in a small minority of people.

Its parts

• Left lateral tarsal artery
• Left arcuate artery

Related conditions

• Achilles tendon rupture
• Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans)
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Compartment syndrome
• Growing pains
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Hypothermia & frostbite
• Kawasaki disease
• Lymphangitis
• Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
• Lymphoedema
• Metabolic syndrome
• Orthostatic hypotension & POTS
• Peripheral artery disease
• Phaeochromocytoma & hyperaldosteronism
• Pre-eclampsia
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• Restless legs syndrome
• Sepsis
• Shock (circulatory failure)
• Superficial thrombophlebitis
• Varicose veins
• Vasculitis (GCA & others)
• Venomous snakebite