Abstract
The fine dissection of nerves and blood vessels in the tarsal tunnel is necessary for clinical operations to provide anatomical information. A total of 60 feet from 30 cadavers were dissected. Two imaginary reference lines that passed through the tip of the medial malleolus were applied. A detailed description of the branch pattern and the corresponding position of the posterior tibial nerve, posterior tibial artery, medial calcaneal nerve and medial calcaneal artery was provided, and the measured data were analyzed. Our results can be summarized as follows. I. A total of 81.67% of the bifurcation points of the posterior tibial nerve, which was divided into the medial and lateral plantar nerves, were located within the tarsal tunnel, not distal to the tarsal tunnel. II. The bifurcation points of the posterior tibial artery were all located in the tarsal tunnel. Almost all of the bifurcation points of the posterior tibial artery were lower than those of the posterior tibial nerve. The bifurcation point of the posterior tibial artery situated distal to the tarsal tunnel was not found. III. The number and the origin of the medial calcaneal nerves and arteries were highly variable.
Highlights
The fine dissection of nerves and blood vessels in the tarsal tunnel is necessary for clinical operations to provide anatomical information
The branch pattern of blood vessels in the tarsal tunnel is similar to the nerve, and the posterior tibial artery was divided into two main branches, the medial and the lateral plantar arteries
Combined with previously reported methods, our research provides a fine anatomical basis for clinical operations and nerve block related to the tarsal tunnel
Summary
The fine dissection of nerves and blood vessels in the tarsal tunnel is necessary for clinical operations to provide anatomical information. I. A total of 81.67% of the bifurcation points of the posterior tibial nerve, which was divided into the medial and lateral plantar nerves, were located within the tarsal tunnel, not distal to the tarsal tunnel. The bifurcation points of the posterior tibial artery were all located in the tarsal tunnel. The bifurcation point of the posterior tibial artery situated distal to the tarsal tunnel was not found. The branch pattern of blood vessels in the tarsal tunnel is similar to the nerve, and the posterior tibial artery was divided into two main branches, the medial and the lateral plantar arteries. The position of the bifurcation points and the branch pattern of the posterior tibial nerve and posterior tibial artery were studied. Combined with previously reported methods, our research provides a fine anatomical basis for clinical operations and nerve block related to the tarsal tunnel
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