Left plantar arch

Looks like

A deep arch of artery across the sole at the bases of the long foot bones, formed by the lateral plantar and deep plantar arteries.

What it does

Sends the plantar metatarsal arteries forward to the toes and joins the top-of-foot circulation.

Keeping it well

Its completeness decides whether the foot is fed from both main leg arteries; relevant in diabetic foot and bypass planning.

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