Missing medial tarsal artery replaced by the anterior medial malleolar artery

Abstract

The present case report describes an unusual variant of a missing medial tarsal artery (MTA) being replaced by the anterior medial malleolar artery (AMMA). The dorsalis pedis artery (DPA) did not give off any branches to the medial foot. The DPA coursed downward in the foot along with the superficial fibular nerve on the foot dorsum at the lateral side of the first metatarsal bone before entering the sole. In the medial malleolus, the AMMA arose from the anterior tibial artery and then ramified several branches, one of which descended to the medial talus. Thus, the possibility of a missing MTA being replaced by the AMMA should be considered by surgeons and radiologists when various surgeries are performed in the medial tarsal area.