RUrTTTRE OF THE FLEXOR METATARSI. 



977 



and is inserted into the bones of the tarsus, serving to prevent excessive 

 extension of the hock-joint. 



In the horse, rupture of this tendon is attended with such marked 

 symptoms that attention was early directed to it. Solleysel described 

 the condition though he regarded the tendon as a nerve. At the end of 

 the eighteenth century this lameness was described by Louchard as dislo- 

 cation of hock-joint. Bouley, in 1833, correctly explained the condition, 

 and was followed by Rigot, who made the experiment of dividing the 



Fig. 528. — Rupture of the flexor metatarsi. 



tendon. Hertwig first thoroughly described this lameness, and gave a full 

 account of its origin. 



The flexor metarsi tendon becomes ruptured either in its course along 

 the front of the tibia or at its origin from the pit between the trochlea 

 and external condyle of the femur. In the former case the rupture is 

 usually incomplete, the fibres appearing as though frayed but not 

 completely torn across. 



Causes. Rupture of the tendinous flexor metatarsi follows 

 excessive extension of the hock-joint, produced either by the animal 

 kicking violently or struggling in hobbles, or from the limb being 



