Pulsations of the dorsalis pedis artery are commonly used to evaluate the peripheral arterial diseases like thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) or Buerger’s disease, in lower limbs. Dorsalis pedis artery is a direct extension from the anterior tibial artery and major vascular supply for the dorsum of the foot. But arterial variations in lower limbs are common due to rich distal anastomoses around the ankle joint. Absence of dorsalis pedis arterial pulse does not indicate peripheral arterial disease always as it is sometimes replaced by the enlarged perforating branch of peroneal artery, it may be absent or very thin, deviate laterally on the dorsum of foot. Aim of the present study is to observe the variations in origin, course and branching pattern of dorsalis pedis artery because of its clinical significance. During routine dissection of lower limbs for undergraduates we came across rare variations in the dorsalis pedis artery in its origin, course and branching pattern. Normal anatomic description was found in 27 limbs. In 13 specimens we noted variations, includes bilateral anomalous origin of dorsalis pedis artery, bilateral lateral deviation of dorsalis pedis artery, double dorsalis pedis artery, trifurcation of dorsalis pedis artery and absence of arcuate artery. Knowledge about the arterial variations around the ankle is important to orthopaedic, vascular surgeons and radiologists to prevent complications during surgical interventions.

Most of the soft tissue calcified mass formations are sporadic incidences that occur in an idiopathic form. Ectopic calcification changes were seen in various soft tissues beyond the skeleton. They are often asymptomatic masses located in the superficial or deeper aspect of the body, but may not be related to the bone directly. Increased levels of serum calcium, phosphate, or Vitamin D hypervitaminosis may be associated with the calcification process, causing mass accretion in the tissues like bones of limbs, and cranium, or showing some dental abnormalities. During the routine dissection of the hamstring compartment of the left lower limb in a male cadaver aged around 70 years in the Department of Anatomy, we noticed nodular fragments and lengthy slender pieces, which were hard in consistency and bony in its appearance found within the semimembranosus muscle. The histopathology of these masses was revealed as “Dystrophic Calcified Masses”. A holistic description of calcification changes in the soft tissues will be considered in the article. Keywords: calcification, dystrophy, hypervitaminosis