36 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 



joint through which the muscle plays there may be found a 

 small, puffy enlargement containing oil secreted by the syno- 

 vial membrane. This disease is called a bursal enlargement. 

 The flexor muscles are situated at the back part of the 

 leg, attached above to the back part of the elbow joint, pass- 

 ing downwards at the back part of the leg. About two or 

 three inches above the back part of the knee joint they be- 

 come tendinous, and from there down to the back part of 

 the foot bone, where two of the principal muscles are at- 

 tached ; these form what is -known as the back tendons, or 

 cords, of the leg. Some of them become attached to the back 

 part of the knee, same as the muscles on the front part of 

 the leg, while the other two principal tendons pass through 

 a loop formed by ligaments, the same as those mentioned in 

 the front part of the knee. In tracing these tendons down 

 from the knee to the fetlock, notice that they pass through 

 another large loop or sheath formed at the back of the fet- 

 lock, where some of the fibres are attached, while others con- 

 tinue down at the back part of the pastern bones, and are at- 

 tached to the os pedis, or foot bone. These tendons are im- 

 portant, because when they are strained the fact is spoken 

 of as the strain of* the back tendons. The action of these 

 muscles is to flex the leg, bend the knee, pastern joints and 

 fetlock. 



7. Muscles of Hind Leg. — These are also divided into 

 two groups, extensor and flexor. 



The extensor muscles are situated in front of the hind 

 leg. They are attached above, around the stifle joint, and 

 pass downward in front of the thigh bone, one being attached 

 to the front part of the hock. The other passes through 

 sheaths, or loops, supplied by a synovial membrane, formed 

 by ligaments, to hold the muscles firm in front while the leg 

 is in action. In tracing them down, in front of the shin bone 

 to the fetlock, note that they pass through loops, or sheaths, 

 and continue down in front of the pastern bones to where 

 they are attached. The action of these is to bring the leg 

 forward. 



The Hexor muscles of the hind leg are attached, above, 

 around the back part of the stifle joint. In tracing them 

 down it will be found that they become tendonous. Two of 

 the principal ones pass down to that part of the hock joint, 

 which sticks up behind, known as the cap. These form what 



