The arterial anatomy of the talus

Abstract

The extraosseous and intraosseous vascularity of the talus was studied in 26 fresh cadaver limbs. The specimens were injected with latex or Batson's compound, debrided by a nondissection technique, and cleared by a modified Spalteholz method. The extraosseous vascularity was through the branches of the three major regional arteries which entered the five nonarticulating surfaces of the bone. The major blood supply to the body was provided by the artery of the tarsal canal. The deltoid and sinus tarsi vessels provided significant minor sources of vascularity. The superior neck and posterior tubercle vessels supplied small areas of the body, but did have anastomoses with the other arteries in some specimens. These vascular patterns correlated well with the reported incidence of avascular necrosis of the body of the talus following injury.