What is the term for the dorsal surface of the foot below the ankle but above the toes?

Dorsum of the Foot

The dorsal surface of the foot below the ankle but above the toes is called the "dorsum of the foot."

Anatomical Definition

The term "dorsum" refers to the top or upper surface of the foot, which is the region that extends from just distal to the ankle joint down to the metatarsophalangeal joints (where the toes begin) 1, 2.

Key Anatomical Landmarks and Structures

Surface Anatomy

• The dorsum of the foot encompasses the area overlying the tarsal bones (midfoot), metatarsal bones, and the extensor tendons 3, 1
• The navicular tuberosity serves as an important palpable landmark on the medial aspect of the dorsum 1
• This region contains the extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus tendons, which are visible and palpable structures running longitudinally across the dorsal surface 2, 4

Neurovascular Anatomy

• The dorsalis pedis artery, which is the continuation of the anterior tibial artery in 95.7% of cases, courses across the dorsum of the foot between the extensor hallucis longus tendon and the first extensor digitorum longus tendon 4
• The deep peroneal nerve accompanies the dorsalis pedis artery in this region 1
• The dorsum receives vascular supply from an average of five cutaneous perforators with a mean caliber of 0.53 mm 2

Clinical Relevance

Medical Footwear Context

• Custom-made medical footwear is specifically designed to accommodate deformity and relieve pressure over at-risk sites on both the plantar and dorsal surfaces of the foot 5
• The dorsal surface must be considered when fitting therapeutic footwear to prevent pressure injuries in patients with diabetes or foot deformities 5

Surgical Considerations

• The dorsum of the foot is a common surgical approach site for midfoot procedures, requiring careful identification of neurovascular structures 1
• The extensor hallucis brevis tendon crosses over the deep peroneal nerve and dorsalis pedis artery approximately 55.2 mm superior and 45.0 mm lateral from the navicular tuberosity 1

Important Anatomical Variants

Clinicians should be aware that the dorsalis pedis artery is absent in 6.7% of cases, and arterial variations of the anterior tibial-dorsalis pedis axis occur in approximately 5% of the population 6, 4. In these variants, the perforating branch of the peroneal artery may assume the expected course of the dorsalis pedis artery 4.