14 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE. 



Carpus, or Knee. — This is a very important joint, constructed 

 of eight bones, having- two rows, four in each, held together 

 by strong, short Hgaments. Thus we have three separate articular 

 surfaces in this joint. The top side of the upper row articulates 

 with the bone of fore arm ; this surface gives the most motion to 

 the knee. Another articulation between the two rows of bones gives 

 slight motion to the knee, but not so much as the upper articular 

 surface. Between the lower part of the lower row of bones and 

 the upper part of metacarpal, or shin bones is another articular 

 surface which gives slight motion to the knee. This joint has a 

 large capsular ligament, and has binding ligaments inside 

 and outside. The action of this joint is the same as elbow joint. 



Fetlock Joint.— This is formed above by the lower part of the 

 shin, or metacarpal bone, and below by the upper part of the large 

 pastern bone. At the back of this joint we have two small bones 

 called the sesamoid bones. This joint has a capsular and two 

 lateral binding ligaments. The motion of this joint is backwards 

 and forwards, same as knee. 



Pastern Joint. — This joint is situated just above the hoof, and 

 is formed by the lower end of the large pastern bone and the upper 

 end of the small pastern bone. It has a capsular and lateral binding 

 ligaments, same as fetlock joint. It also has same motion as fetlock 

 joint, and is sometimes the seat of what is termed a high ringbone. 



Coffin Joint. — This joint is situated within the hoof of the 

 horse. It is formed above by the lower end of the small pastern 

 bone, and below by the upper part of the foot bone, or os pedis. 

 Immediately behind this joint, and articulating with the other two 

 bones, we have the navicular, or shuttle bone — it gets its name 

 from its likeness to the shuttle of a sewing machine. This bone 

 is the seat of navicular disease, or otherwise called coffin-joint 

 lameness, and also is affected with what is sometimes called a 

 low-down ringbone. 



JOINTS OF HIND LEG. 



Hip Joint. — This is a ball-and-socket joint, similar to shoulder 

 joint. It has a capsular ligament and what is called a round 

 ligament, in the joint, holding the head of the bone in the socket, 

 which can be seen plainly on examining the joint. This is an 

 important ligament, as it often becomes strained, which is the seat 

 of hip joint lameness. It is also held together by the heavy 

 muscles of the hip. Its motion is similar to that of shoulder joint. 



