272 



HEALTH AND DISEASE 



allow of such a measure of gliding movement as will enable the larger 

 articulations to perform their more extensive and important functions. 

 The Ligaments. The ligaments uniting the bones of the knee are 



numerous, and comprise lateral ligaments, or 

 those passing from the sides of the lower end of 

 the radius first to the upper row of bones, then 

 to the lower, and finally to the upper extremity 

 of the metacarpal bones (figs. 354 and 355); 

 inter-osseous ligaments, or those situated between 

 the small bones which they unite; and a capsular 

 ligament. 



The capsular ligament of the knee is, like 

 the joint, of considerable extent. Proceeding 

 from above, where it is attached around the 

 articular margin of the radius, it descends, to be 

 similarly connected with the superior extremity 

 of the large metacarpal bone. Behind, it is very 

 thick, and is attached to all the small bones of 

 the knee, and below it is continuous with the 

 check ligament which joins the tendon of the 

 flexor pedis perforans. 



THE METACARPO-PHALANGIAL ARTICU- 

 LATION OR FETLOCK-JOINT 



The bones which enter into the construction 

 of the fetlock-joint are four in number, the large 

 metacarpal or canon-bone, the os suffraginis or 

 long pastern, and, behind these, two small sesa- 

 moid bones. 

 A, A, Suspensory ligament. B, B, The lower extremity of the canon-bone rests 



Outer and inner branches of same. .-. , c , -i i 



c,c, outer and inner sesamoid bones, upon the superior extremity of the large pastern, 

 D, superficial or long sesamoid ii g a- fo e convexities of the one fitting into correspond- 



ment. E, E, Deep or short sesamoid _ _ 111 mi- 



F, F, Lateral phaiangiai ing concavities presented by the other, ihe two 

 %2TCS: sesamoid bones are closely united together by a 

 i, i, Posterior inter-phaiangiai iiga- thick, short, strong ligament (inter 'sesamoid liga- 



ment), and articulate with the back part of the 



lower extremity of the canon-bone. The importance of this joint as a 

 spring and a means of breaking and dispersing jar or concussion has 

 rendered necessary a number of ligaments over and above those ordinarily 

 present in a diarthrodial or free-moving joint. 



Fig. 356. Ligaments of the Fetlock- 

 Joint 



ligament. 



