MUSCLES OF THE OUTSIDE OF THE THIGH. 239 



/". This is the tendinous expansion which binds and strengthens 



the above muscles. 

 g. Is the Jlexor metatarsi, or muscle used to bend the hocks, or 

 bender of the leg. It arises from the lower part of the upper 

 oone of the thigh, and is inserted into the upper portion of the 

 shank-bone, and also the inner splint-bone. It is a muscle of 

 considerable power. 

 h The extensor pedis. It is situated on the anterior part of the 

 thifh, and is attached to a roughened depression upon the 

 antero-inferior part of the external condyle of the femoral-bone, 

 and below to the coronal process of the os pedis, and to the 

 upper edge of the bone in the interval between the lateral 

 cartilao-es. Its office is the extension of the foot, as well as the 

 fetlock and pastern joints. 

 j. This letter is placed at the situation occupied by the principal 

 nerves before they pass under the muscle. They take a direc- 

 tion nearly in a line with the letter c. 

 t, p. The poplitaus, or femoro-tibialis obliquus, a short, thick, 

 triangular muscle, extending from the upper to the lower thigh- 

 bones, bending tiie stifle, and turning the limb inward. 

 k. The use of this muscle is to extend the hock. It is an ex- 

 ceedingly powerful muscle, having its origin in the head of the 

 upper bone of the thigh, and, midway down the lower bone of 

 the thioh, endintj in a flat tendon, which is inserted into the 

 joint of the hock. It is advantageously placed for powerful 

 exertion, for it acts nearly at right angles. 

 777, n. The peronceus, which is another of the extensor muscles, and 

 so called from a name given to the fibula. It arises from the 

 whole course of the fibula, and also becomes tendinous before 

 reaching the hock. About half-way down the shank, it occu- 

 pies the same sheath as the principal extensor muscle, and is 

 inserted along with it into the coffin-bone. The province of 

 the extensor muscles is to raise the foot from the ground, and 

 to brine: it forward under the bodv. 

 o. The flexor pedis, one of the cliief bending or flexor muscles of 

 the foot, which has its origin in ihe upper part of the tibia 

 As it approaches the hock, it is distinguished by its large round 

 tendon, which is seen to enter into a groove at the back of the 

 hock. It is continued down the back of the leg in the same 



