186 



THE ARTICULATIONS OF THE HORSE 



The capsule is further strengthened by a layer of oljlique fibers which pass over the lateral 

 ligament on either side and end on the extensor tendon and the proximal extremity of the first 

 phalanx. It may properly be regarded as fascia rather than ligament. 



Movements. — These are of the nature of flexion and extension, the axis of 

 motion passing through the upper attachments of the lateral ligaments. In the 

 ordinary standing position the joint is in a state of partial dorsal flexion, the articu- 

 lar angle (in front) being about 140° to 150°. (In the hind limb it is about 5° 

 greater.) Diminution of this angle (sometimes termed "overextension") is nor- 



Extensor tendon 



Upper end of capsule of feiloch 

 joint 



Biirsd 



Lateral ligament of fetlock joint 



Fascia 



Branch of suspensory liganunt 



Lateral volar ligament of paster n 

 joint 



Superficial flexor tendon 

 Deep flexor tendon 

 rlcJd Air- 4\t — Suspensory ligament 



\Ml^ U(ff — -Lateral interrosseous tendon 



i ( iV * '"' f '^?Jper end of digital sheath. 



■/\ i^^.v-^' ^'^^S' o/ superficial flexor tendon 

 n tersescnnoidean ligament 

 Posterior annular ligament (cut) 



Lateral sesamoidean ligament 

 Superficial inferior sesamwidean 



ligament 

 Middle inferioi' sesamoidean 

 ligeiment 

 xittacJiments of proximal digital 

 'annular ligament 



Suspetisory ligament of navicular 

 bone 

 Band from lateral cartilage to 

 extensor tendon 

 Lateral ligament of cofjin joint 



- Pouch of digital sheath 



Distal digital annular ligament 

 Lateral cartilage 



Fig. 150. — Lig.\mexts .4^nd Tendons of Dist.\l Part of Limb of Horse. 



Mc. Ill, Large metacarpal bone; Ph. I, first phalanx; Ph. II, second phalanx; Ph. Ill, third phalanx; 1, deep flexor 



tendon; 2, band from first phalanx to plantar cushion, (.\fter Schmaltz, Atlas d. Anat. d. Pferdes.) 



mally very limited on account of the resistance offered by the sesamoidean appara- 

 tus, but it varies considerably in amount in different subjects. Volar flexion is 

 limited only by contact of the heels with the metacarpus. During volar flexion 

 a small amount of lateral flexion is possible. 



THE SESAMOIDEAN LIGAMENTS 

 Under this head will be described a number of important ligameivts which are 

 connected with the sesamoid bones and form a sort of stay apparatus or brace. 



