Microsurgical anatomy of the dorsalis pedis and first dorsal metatarsal artery in Vietnamese adults: A cadaveric study
6 affiliations
- 1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Ha Dong General Hospital, Hanoi, Viet Nam
- 2Vo Truong Toan University, Viet Nam
- 3108 Military Hospital, Hanoi, Viet Nam
- 4Department of High- Tech Treatment, National Hospital of Endocrinology, Hanoi, Viet Nam; Corresponding author.
- 5Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Viet Nam
- 6Pham Ngoc Thach Medical University, Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam
Abstract
Background: The dorsalis pedis artery (DPA) and first dorsal metatarsal artery (FDMA) are important vascular structures of the foot and first web space used in reconstructive procedures. Anatomical variations may affect pedicle dissection and flap design. This study characterized the anatomy and morphometric features of the DPA and FDMA in Vietnamese adult body donors. Methods: Fifty feet from 25 Vietnamese adult body donors were dissected using ×4 loupe magnification. The DPA and FDMA were exposed from their origins to their distal branches, and their origins, courses, branching patterns, and relationship to the first dorsal interosseous muscle were recorded. Arterial length was measured along the vessel using a thread and ruler, while vessel diameter was measured with a Palmer caliper with 0.1-mm precision. The midpoint of the first metatarsophalangeal joint was used as the anatomical landmark for positional measurements. Results: The DPA originated from the anterior tibial artery in 49 feet (98%) and from the deep plantar artery in 1 foot (2%). The FDMA originated from the DPA in 48 feet (96%), the deep plantar artery in 1 foot (2%), and the plantar arterial arch in 1 foot (2%). Mean DPA length was 7.61 ± 1.16 cm. Mean FDMA length was 5.44 ± 0.83 cm. Mean FDMA diameter at its origin was 1.84 ± 0.36 mm and at its termination was 1.54 ± 0.35 mm. The FDMA followed Type B (deep) and Type A (superficial) courses in 92% and 8% of feet, respectively; no Type C pattern was observed. Conclusions: The DPA–FDMA vascular pattern was predominantly classical, although variations in arterial origin and FDMA course were identified. These findings provide anatomical data that may assist reconstructive microsurgical planning.
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BibTeX
@article{nguyen2026microsurgical,
title = {{Microsurgical anatomy of the dorsalis pedis and first dorsal metatarsal artery in Vietnamese adults: A cadaveric study}},
author = {Trong Nghia Nguyen and Ngoc Anh Tran and Van Doan Le and Thanh Vinh Nguyen and Trung Anh Do and Trung Quan Do and Van Vo Dang and Quang Tuyen Le},
journal = {Translational Research in Anatomy},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.tria.2026.100535},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tria.2026.100535},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Microsurgical anatomy of the dorsalis pedis and first dorsal metatarsal artery in Vietnamese adults: A cadaveric study
AU - Trong Nghia Nguyen
AU - Ngoc Anh Tran
AU - Van Doan Le
AU - Thanh Vinh Nguyen
AU - Trung Anh Do
AU - Trung Quan Do
AU - Van Vo Dang
AU - Quang Tuyen Le
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Translational Research in Anatomy
DO - 10.1016/j.tria.2026.100535
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tria.2026.100535
AB - Background: The dorsalis pedis artery (DPA) and first dorsal metatarsal artery (FDMA) are important vascular structures of the foot and first web space used in reconstructive procedures. Anatomical variations may affect pedicle dissection and flap design. This study characterized the anatomy and morphometric features of the DPA and FDMA in Vietnamese adult body donors. Methods: Fifty feet from 25 Vietnamese adult body donors were dissected using ×4 loupe magnification. The DPA and FDMA were exposed from their origins to their distal branches, and their origins, courses, branching patterns, and relationship to the first dorsal interosseous muscle were recorded. Arterial length was measured along the vessel using a thread and ruler, while vessel diameter was measured with a Palmer caliper with 0.1-mm precision. The midpoint of the first metatarsophalangeal joint was used as the anatomical landmark for positional measurements. Results: The DPA originated from the anterior tibial artery in 49 feet (98%) and from the deep plantar artery in 1 foot (2%). The FDMA originated from the DPA in 48 feet (96%), the deep plantar artery in 1 foot (2%), and the plantar arterial arch in 1 foot (2%). Mean DPA length was 7.61 ± 1.16 cm. Mean FDMA length was 5.44 ± 0.83 cm. Mean FDMA diameter at its origin was 1.84 ± 0.36 mm and at its termination was 1.54 ± 0.35 mm. The FDMA followed Type B (deep) and Type A (superficial) courses in 92% and 8% of feet, respectively; no Type C pattern was observed. Conclusions: The DPA–FDMA vascular pattern was predominantly classical, although variations in arterial origin and FDMA course were identified. These findings provide anatomical data that may assist reconstructive microsurgical planning.
SN - 2214-854X
ER -