272 



HEALTH AND DISEASE 





allow of such a measure of gliding movement as will enable the larger 

 articulations to perform their more extensive and important functions. 

 The Ligaments. — The ligaments uniting the bones of the knee are 



numerous, and comprise lateral ligaments, or 

 those passing from the sides of the lower end of 

 the radius — first to the upper row of bones, then 

 to the lower, and finally to the ujDper extremity 

 of the metacarpal bones (figs. 354 and 355); 

 inter-osseous ligaments, or those situated between 

 the small bones which they unite ; and a capsular 

 ligament. 



The capsular ligament of the knee is, like 

 the joint, of considerable extent. Proceeding 

 from above, where it is attached around the 

 articular margin of the radius, it descends, to be 

 similarly connected with the superior extremity 

 of the large metacarpal bone. Behind, it is very 

 thick, and is attached to all the small bones of 

 the knee, and below it is continuous with the 

 check ligament which joins the tendon of the 

 flexor pedis perforans. 



THE METACARPO-PHALANGIAL ARTICU- 

 LATION OR FETLOCK-JOINT 



The bones which enter into the construction 

 of the fetlock-joint are four in number, the large 

 metacarpal or canon-bone, the os suffraginis or 

 long pastern, and, behind these, two small sesa- 

 moid bones. 



The lower extremity of the canon-bone rests 

 upon the superior extremity of the large pastern, 

 the convexities of the one fitting into correspond- 

 ing concavities presented by the other. The two 

 ment. H, intersesamoid ligament, scsamoid boncs are closcly United together by a 

 I, I, Posterior inter-phaiangiai liga- thick, short, strong ligament {intersesamoid liqa- 



ment), and articulate with the back part of the 

 lower extremity of the canon-bone. The importance of this joint as a 

 spring and a means of breaking and dispersing jar or concussion has 

 rendered necessary a number of ligaments over and above those ordinarily 

 present in a diarthrodial or free-moving joint. 



A, A, Suspensory ligament. B, B, 

 Outer and inner branches of same, 



C, C, Outer and inner sesamoid bones. 



D, Superficial or long sesamoid liga- 

 ment. E, E, Deep or short sesamoid 

 ligament. F, F, Lateral phalangial 

 ligament. G, Crucial sesamoid liga- 



