MUSCULAR SYSTEM. If) I 



Structure. — This is the most slender muscle, in proportion to 

 its length, in the body. Its delicate belly, composed of pale 

 fleshy fibres, and constituting two-thirds of its length, sends off 

 an equally delicate cordiform tendon, vviiich unites inseparably, 

 just above the hock, with the external gastrocnemius tendon. 



3.— DEEP POSTERIOR FEMORO-CRURAL REGION. 



The muscles contained in this region lie deep-seated, in the 

 interspace between the tibia and the gastrocnemii. They are 

 covered and closely bound down by a dense firm tendinous 

 faschia. 



poPLiTEus. — Femoro-tihialis Ohliquus, 



Situation. — At the back of the stifle-joint. 



Form. — Short; thick; triangular. 



Attachmoit. — Superiorly, to the postero-external side of the 

 outer condyle of the femur, and to the capsular ligament of the 

 stifle-joint. Inferiorly, to the upper half of the inner side of the 

 body of the tibia. 



Relations. — Posteriorly, with the gastrocnemii internus et 

 externus, the semilunar cartilages, the postero-internal side of 

 the head and the superior part of the body of the tibia : also, 

 with the popliteal artery and vein. Externally, with the internal 

 lateral ligament ; internally, with the gastrocnemius externus. 

 Superiorly, with the condyles of the femur; inferiorly, with the 

 flexor pedis accessorius. 



Direction. — Of the superior fibres, nearly transverse ; of the 

 inferior, obliquely inward and downward. 



Structure. — Its supero-external attachment consists of a 

 flattened and partially cleft tendon, which plays over the back of 

 the outer semilunar cartilage. This tendon is enclosed within a 

 duplicature of the capsular ligament; but (notwithstanding that) 

 is shut out by the internal fold of that duplicature from the cavity 

 of the stifle joint. The tendon finally sinks into the fleshy part 

 of the muscle, whose substance still in places discovers some 

 scanty tendinous intersections. 



Action. — To bend the stifle ; and at the same time to turn the 

 tibia inwards. It will also extricate the capsular ligament from 

 being pinched between the bones. 



• FLEXOR PEDIS. — Tibio-pJialangcus. 



Situation. — Postero-external side of the limb. 

 Figure. — Fusiform ; elongated : fleshy part, thick. 

 Attachment. — Superiorly, to the postero-external side of the 

 head of the tibia ; to the supero-posterior half of the body of the 



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