THE POSTERIOR OR HIND LIMB 



23 



the hock -joint. Behind, it is bordered 



The Stifle (fig. l). — The stifle comprehends that angular prominence 

 situated in front of the limb immediately beneath the Hank. At this 

 point the femur, or thigh-bone, articulates with the tibia, or leg-bone, and 

 the i^a^e^^a, or knee-cap, to form the stifle-joint. This is the largest and 

 most powerfully constructed joint in the body. It is remarkable, not only 

 for the complexity of its arrangement, but also for its considerable range of 

 action. 



The Leg. — The leg or ga.skin is that part of the hind extremity 

 extending from the thigh to 

 by two powerful tendons (tendo 

 Achilles) (fig. l), both of which 

 are firmly united to the point 

 of the hock, ami are commonly 

 spoken of as the ham -strings. 

 The ossific base of this reoion is 

 formed by two bones — the tibia 

 and the fihtila. The latter is 

 a small slender bone placed on 

 the outer side of the former, 

 which is of considerable dimen- 

 sions and power. 



The Hock—Tarsus.— The 

 hock intervenes between the leg 

 and the canon bone. It is 

 more or less flat on the outer 

 side, convex on the inner sur- 

 face, nari'ow behind, and broad 

 and somewhat flat in front. 

 This region comprises six small 

 bones, which are united by short 

 strong ligaments, and supported 

 by the metacarpal bones. Above, they articulate with the tibia, or leg-bone, 

 and with it form a hinge-joint of considerable extent by which the chief 

 movements of the hock are effected. Above and behind, the hock forms an 

 acute angle with the tendo Achilles, termed the. jwint of the hock (fig. 1). 



The regions below the hock are the canon, the fetlock, pastern, coronet, 

 foot, and corresponding parts already described in dealing with the fore 

 extremity. 



Fig. 15. — Bones of Left Hind Leg 



, Hip Bone or Pelvis. B, Thigh Bone or Femur, c, Knee- 

 cap or Patella. D, Fibula. E, Tibia. G, Tarsal or Hock Bones. 



