THE FOOT OF THE HORSE. 



59 



Fig. 12. plantar surface at lower face op the third or ungctal 

 phalanx of the foot, the pedal, or coffin-bone, upon which the digit is 



BASED 



This view represents the sole of the bone covered by the 

 plantar reticulum and shows the origin of the preplantar ungual 

 artery as it emerges at the retrossal process of the wings and 

 loops into the semi-lunar anastomotic arch, communicating in 

 the bone. The radiating branches from this arch and from the 

 outer border correspond with the affluents of Figs. 13 and 14. 

 The nerves shown are the descending posterior branches of the 

 preplantar nerve, accompanying the digital artery on the retros- 

 sal process, traversing the cartilages and laminal tissues, and 

 terminating around the plantar ungual artery in the plantar 

 fissure. 



The attachment of the deep flexor of the foot — the per- 

 forans — is shown as covering the semi-lunar crest and the me- 

 dian imprints of this bone ; widening into a large expansion 

 designated the plantar aponeurosis. This terminal expansion is 

 covered by the plantar cushion which adheres to it most inti- 

 mately. This muscle flexes the phalanges on one another, and 

 it also concurs in flexing the entire foot on the fore-arm. 



