plantar artery

noun

: either of the two terminal branches into which the posterior tibial artery divides:

a

: one that is larger and passes laterally and then medially to join with a branch of the dorsalis pedis to form the plantar arch

called also lateral plantar artery

b

: one that is smaller and follows a more medial course as it passes distally supplying or giving off branches which supply the plantar part of the foot and the toes

called also medial plantar artery