Arterial insufficiency

Arterial insufficiency

Arterial Insufficiency is a lack of enough blood flow through the arteries typically caused by atherosclerosis. Arterial insufficiency can affect many different parts of the body. The specific symptoms may indicate which artery is involved. If heart arteries are involved, it can cause symptoms of...

 ulcers (also known as "Ischemic ulcers") are mostly localed on the lateral surface of the ankle

Ankle

The ankle joint is formed where the foot and the leg meet. The ankle, or talocrural joint, is a synovial hinge joint that connects the distal ends of the tibia and fibula in the lower limb with the proximal end of the talus bone in the foot...

 or the distal digits.

Etiology

The ulcers are caused by lack of blood flow to the capillary beds of the lower extremities. When pressure is placed on the skin, the skin is damaged and is unable to be repaired due to the lack of blood perfusing

Perfusion

In physiology, perfusion is the process of nutritive delivery of arterial blood to a capillary bed in the biological tissue. The word is derived from the French verb "perfuser" meaning to "pour over or through."...

 the tissue. The wound has a characteristic deep, punched out look, often extending down to the tendon

Tendon

A tendon is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable of withstanding tension. Tendons are similar to ligaments and fasciae as they are all made of collagen except that ligaments join one bone to another bone, and fasciae connect muscles to other...

s. The wounds are very painful.

See also

• Arterial insufficiency
  Arterial insufficiency
  Arterial Insufficiency is a lack of enough blood flow through the arteries typically caused by atherosclerosis. Arterial insufficiency can affect many different parts of the body. The specific symptoms may indicate which artery is involved. If heart arteries are involved, it can cause symptoms of...
  
  
• Venous insufficiency ulceration
  Venous insufficiency ulceration
  Venous insufficiency ulceration, as well as stasis dermatitis, is a skin condition that results from increased pressure in the venous system of the lower leg.- See also :* Arterial insufficiency ulcer* List of cutaneous conditions* Venous ulcer...
  
  
• List of cutaneous conditions