188 LAMENESS OP THE HORSE 



notch and along the under side of tlje pubis. It is inserted or 

 blends with the prepubic tendon. This ligament prevents ex- 

 treme abduction of the leg. The joint capsule encompasses the 

 articulation and is attached to the brim of the acetabulum and 

 the edge of the head of the femur. 



The stifle joint is analagous to the knee joint of man and is 

 to be considered an atypical ginglymus (hinge) articulation 

 formed by the femur, tibia and patella. The ligaments are 

 femerotibial, femeropatellar and capsular. 



In addition to the usual provision for articulation of bones 

 there are situated cartilaginous menisci between the condyles 

 of the femur and the head of the tibia. These discs surround 

 the tibial spine and are otherwise shaped to fit perfectly between 

 the articular portions of the femur and tibia. 



Collateral ligaments (internal and external lateral) pass from 

 the distal end of the femur to the proximal portion of the tibia. 

 The mesial (internal) arises from the internal condyle of the 

 femur and is attached to a rough area below the margin of the 

 medial (internal) condyle of the tibia. The lateral (external), 

 shorter and thicker, arises from the depression on the lateral 

 epicondyle and inserts to the head of the fibula. 



The crucial or interosseus, anterior and posterior, are situ- 

 ated between the femur and tibia, and according to Smith,^ 

 the crucial ligaments are necessary to properly join the two 

 bones, because of the character of the structure of the articular 

 ends of the femur and tibia. 



The femeropatella ligaments are two thin bands which re- 

 inforce the capsular ligament. They arise from the lateral 

 aspects of the femur, just above the condyles and are inserted 

 to the corresponding surfaces of the patella 



The patellar ligaments are three strong bands which arise 

 from the antero-inferior surface of the patella, and are inserted 

 to the anterior aspect of the tuberosity of the tibia. 



Taken as a whole, the tarsal bones, interarticulating and articu- 

 lating with the tibia and metatarsal bones form the hock joint 

 and this articulation is analagous to the carpus. As with the 

 carpus, there is less movement in the inferior portion of the 



^Manual of Veterinary Physiology. Page 610. 



