LIGAMENTS OF THE HIP JOINT. 



witli the adjoining metatarsal bones. The fourth metatarsal 

 is shorter than the third, and articulates with the cuboid, 

 and by the inner side of its base with the third cuneiform 

 bone. The fifth metatarsal is the shortest except the first, 

 and articulates above with the cuboid, and presents on the 

 outside of this joint a projecting tubercle. All the meta- 

 tarsal bones have a similar structure, consisting of the 

 compact and cellular. 



The phalanges (Fig. 243) are three to each toe, except the 

 great toe, which has but two consequently there are four- 

 teen in all. These, like the fingers, have each a body or 

 shaft and two extremities. 



The first phalanges are the longest ; their upper extremity 

 is concave for articulating with the head of the metatarsal 

 bones. The base of the first phalanx of the great toe gen- 

 erally has two sesamoid bones. 



The second phalanges the great toe having none are 

 very short, and their upper extremities are concave for 

 articulating with the convex end of the first phalanx. 



The third phalanges, except that of the great toe, are 

 small. They articulate by their upper extremity with the 

 second phalanx, and have their upper surfaces broad and 

 rough for the reception of the nails. 



SECTION IV. 

 LIGAMENTS OF THE INFERIOR EXTREMITY. 



Ligaments of the hip joint. The bones of this joint com- 

 prise the head of the femur and the acetabulum, both of 

 which are covered with cartilage and secured by the fol- 

 lowing ligaments: 



The capsular ligament is one of the strongest and most 

 perfect of the kind in the body. It is connected above to 

 the outer circumference of the acetabulum, and below to the 

 roots of both trochanters ; thus enclosing the whole neck of 

 the femur. It is longer behind and-below than at any other 

 point, but thicker and stronger above and in front from 

 the presence of an accessory ligament, termed ilio-femoral. 

 This extends, as a strong fibrous band, from the inferior 



