174 ANATOMY OF THE RABBIT. 
The phalanges are distributed according to the formula 
0, 3, 3, 3, 3, the terminal, ungual phalanges being modified like those 
of the anterior limb. 
SESAMOID BONES. 
The sesamoid bones of the posterior limb occur at the knee- 
joint and on the plantar surface of the foot. On the anterior 
surface of the knee is the knee-pan or patella, through which, as 
indicated above, the tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle is 
carried over the knee and continued as the patellar ligament to the 
tuberosity of the tibia. On the posterior surface there are three 
sesamoid bones, of which one lies in association with the medial 
condyle of the femur, while the remaining two are associated 
respectively with the lateral condyle of the femur and that of the 
tibia. The sesamoids of the foot are situated at the metatarso- 
phalangeal joints and at those connecting the second and third 
phalanges. 
