Anatomical Rudiments 



below with a second thigh (or tibia) and also with 

 the patella or knee-cap. Interposed between these 

 two thigh bones is a pair of" cartilaginous discs. 

 The rest of the limb corresponds to that of the 

 fore-limbs. The fore-limbs have greater bodily 

 weight to bear than the hind ones, and it may be 

 accepted as a general statement that these show 

 evidences of wear quicker than the hind ones. 

 The fore-limb is composed of the scapula (or 

 shoulder blade) which is articulated to the humerus 

 (or arm) by a ball and socket joint, and the arm, 

 in its turn, articulates with the radius by a hinge 

 joint. The lower end of the radius rests upon 

 the upper row of the carpal bones, of which there 

 are 7 or 8 in the horse, corresponding to the wrist 

 in man. Below the carpus is the large meta- 

 carpal (or cannon) bone, and articulated with the 

 back of it, are two slender rods of bones — the 

 small metacarpals — and the lower end of the large 

 cannon bone, forms a hinge with the first phalanx, 

 which is followed by the second phalanx ; and then 

 the third phalanx or coffin bone ; the two last- 

 named being embedded within the hoof. In 

 addition to this, at the articulation between the 

 cannon and the phalanx, are two small pyramidal- 

 shaped bones, known as the "sesamoids" whilst at 

 the back of the pedal articulation, there is a little 

 bone known as the navicular which is often the 

 seat of disease. There are 18 pairs of ribs, 8 of 

 which are true and 10 false. The 8 true ribs 



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