The microvascular anatomy of the metatarsal bones: a plastination study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to categorize and systematize the arterial supply of the metatarsal bones and furthermore the observation of arterial lesions after frequently performed forefoot surgeries.


METHODS
Twenty-two cadaver feet were analyzed by two plastination methods and the enzyme maceration method. Five forefoot surgeries were performed after arterial injections.


RESULTS
The bases of the metatarsal bones were primarily supplied by dorsal and plantar arteries. The arterial supply of the metatarsal diaphysis was given by a frequently observed nutrient artery. The first plantar metatarsal artery was the main supply of the first metatarsal head. The plantar and dorsal metatarsal arteries supplied the lesser metatarsals heads. The forefoot surgeries revealed lesions of arteries in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The plastination methods were excellent methods to analyze the arterial supply. In addition arterial damage after forefoot surgeries could be analyzed with these methods.
Rath
Björn
B
Department of Anatomy, University of Cologne, Joseph Stelzmann Str. 9, 50931, Cologne, Germany. Bjoern.Rath@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
Notermans
Hans-Peter
HP
Franzen
Jan
J
Knifka
Jutta
J
Walpert
Jürgen
J
Frank
Daniel
D
Koebke
Jürgen
J
D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002102:Cadaver; D018483:Diaphyses / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000098:blood supply*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016613:Plastic Embedding