Tibialis Posterior Artery
The posterior tibial may be absent (Quain, 1844), rudimentary, or replaced by the peroneal artery. It may supply all the common digital arteries. On occasion, it pierces the interosseous membrane to join the anterior tibial. It may turn anteriorly (in the distal quarter of the leg) to replace the anterior tibial. The peroneal in such cases provides the medial and lateral plantar arteries. The peroneal is sometime absent or enhanced by a branch from the posterior tibial. The great saphenous artery may arise from the posterior tibial artery.