The arcuate artery of the foot (metatarsal artery) arises from dorsalis pedis slightly anterior to the lateral tarsal artery, specifically over the naviculocuneiform joint; it passes lateralward, over the bases of the lateral four metatarsal bones, beneath the tendons of the extensor digitorum brevis, its direction being influenced by its point of origin; and it terminates in the lateral tarsal artery.
The metatarsal artery, originating from the dorsalis pedis near the naviculocuneiform joint, travels laterally across the base of the four outer metatarsals, passing under the extensor digitorum brevis tendon before reaching the lateral tarsal artery.