162 



THE CAT. 



[CHAP. v. 



Tiliialis posticus. This muscle lies deeply and takes origin from 

 the hinder side of the tibia beneath the popliteus, and from the 

 hinder surface of the head of the fibula. It ends below in a tendon 

 which passes down the internal malleolus in a special groove placed 

 close to, but in front of, the groove for the flexor longus digitoruin. 

 It' ends .by being inserted into the prominence at the hinder part of 

 the inner border of the navicularc. This muscle is naturally quite 

 covered in by the flexor longus digitorum, save where its tendon 

 appears in front of that of the last named muscle. 



The abductor indicis is a small muscle arising from the plantar 

 fascia and tarsus at the root of the rudimentary hallux, and is 

 implanted into the tibial side of the proximal phalanx of the index. 



Opponent minimi digiti. This is a narrow muscular band which 

 arises from the plantar fascia at the root of the index digit, and is 

 inserted into the metatarsal of the fifth digit. 



Aid actor dig it i minimi. This arises from the plantar surface of 

 the os calcis, and is inserted by a delicate tendon into the peroneal 

 side of the proximal phalanx of the fifth digit. 



The intcrossci arc a set of small muscular bundles two to each 

 digit, except the rudimentary hallux. They all take origin from 

 the plantar surface of the proximal ends of the metatarsals, and 

 pass upon either side of these bones to their distal ends. There 

 they are inserted partly into the sesamoid bones (placed one beneath 

 the distal end of each metatarsal) and partly they ascend (like those 

 of the fore-paw) to be inserted into the extensor tendons. 



The pelvic limb is, like the rest of the body, clothed with a 

 subcutaneous superficial FASCIA. In the thigh this takes the name 

 of fascia lata, and is very dense (especially on the outer side of the 

 limb) and sends down expansions between the muscles, one larger 

 expansion penetrating to the linea aspera. 



The aponeurosis of the leg is continuous at the ankle with the 

 anterior annular ligament, beneath which pass the extensor tendons. 



The internal annular ligament passes from the inner malleolus to 

 the heel, and transmits the flexor tendons. 



The external lateral ligament passes from the outer malleolus to 

 the heel, and transmits the tendons of the peroneus longus and 

 peroneus brevis. 



In the foot, as in the hand, synovial burssc facilitate the passage 

 of the tendons. 



As to the STRETCH OF MUSCLES over the segments of the pelvic 

 limb, there are certain muscles inserted into the pelvic girdle and 

 proceeding to it from the trunk as the abdominal muscles and psoas 

 parvus; others proceed from the pelvic girdle to the thigh, as the 

 glutei ; others from the thigh to the leg, as vastus externus and 

 internus, and the crureus ; and finally, others from the leg to the 

 foot, as the deep flexors of the digits. 



But muscles may pass directly from the trunk to the thigh, as the 

 psoas ; or directly from the pelvic girdle to the leg, as the ham-string 

 muscles ; or directly from the thigh to the foot, as the gastrocnemius. 



