108 OUTLINES OF EQUINE ANATOMY. 



superior stisjjensory and suhcarpal limiting hands lias been 

 ininutely described in connection with the tendons of the 

 flexor es pedis. 



Fetlock joint 

 is the union of the inferior extremity of the cannon 

 bone superiorly with the ossa sesamoidea and os suffra- 

 ginis inferiorly. We, therefore, must examine how the 

 four bones are united together. The sesamoid bones 

 are covered posteriorly by fibro-cartilage, for they form 

 a groove over which the flexor tendons play. This cartilage 

 serves to connect the two sesamoids together in passing 

 between them, forming the intersesamoid ligament, and 

 superiorly it is prolonged above the bones, continuous with 

 two small bands of a decidedly elastic nature running to 

 the postero-inferior part of the large metatarsal bone. The 

 sesamoids are connected to os suif raginis laterally by broad 

 bands of white fibrous tissue, lateral sesamoid ligaments^ 

 inferiorly by several ligaments, the inferior sesamoideal. 



The superficial inferior sesamoid ligament consists of two 

 lateral and a central portion, all of which extends from 

 the supero-posterior part of os suffraginis to the inferior 

 part of the mass formed by the sesamoids and their fibro- 

 cartilage. The middle ligament has a widespread triangular 

 attachment to the posterior surface of os suffraginis and 

 extends to the inferior part of the sesamoid mass. The 

 deep ligament rises from the small triangular space at the 

 supero-posterior part of os suffraginis, sends fibres which 

 cross each other before reaching the sesamoid mass. , The 

 combined sesamoid and sufFraginis bones are attached to 

 the large metacarpal bone by the 



Superior sesamoideal or suspensory ligament which ex- 

 tends from the supero-posterior part of os metacarpi 

 magnum and as a firm fibrous cord, with more or less 

 numerous muscular fibres interspersed, inns down the 

 back of the limb in the groove formed by the posterior 

 surface of os metacarpi magnum and the small metacarpal 

 bones on either side. Opposite the superior part of the 

 inferior third it bifurcates, one division running to the 

 outer part of each sesamoid, and from this being continued 

 onwards over the lateral parts of os suffraginis to blend 

 with extensor pedis on the anterior part. This hgament 

 corresponds to a number of muscles found in this situ- 

 ation in animals which have five digits ; sometimes 



