36 LIGAMENTOUS STKUCTURES OF THE FOOT. 



with the other ligaments covering the posterior surfaces of 

 these joints. From this point it runs downwards immediately 

 in contact with the posterior surface of the metacarpus, lying 

 between the two small metacarpals. At the lower third of the 

 metacarpus it divides into two portions, which become attached 

 to the corresponding surfaces of the sesamoids. From this 

 point each division gives off a considerable reinforcing band, 

 which runs in an oblique direction downwards and forwards, to 

 become continuous with the extensor pedis tendon at the front 

 of the suffraginis bone. This is the " ligamentum extensorum " 

 of Percivall. 



(3) The sesamoid bones are attached below by two ligaments, 

 the inferior sesamoid ean ligament and the cruciate ligament. 

 The inferior sesamoidean ligament {d and d', and fig. 10, l') is 

 a strong band, in which three parts may be distinguished. The 

 middle portion (^)' (superficial inferior sesamoidean ligament of 

 MTadyean) is the most superficial ; it arises at the lower end 

 of the two sesamoid bones and runs, more or less covering the 

 two lateral portions, with which it is connected by a few fibres, 

 in a downward direction to be inserted into the strong posterior 

 margin of the upper surface of the coronet bone. Here it 

 becomes intimately united with the two limbs of the flexor 

 pedis perforatus tendon, forming one mass. 



The two lateral limbs {d') (middle inferior sesamoidean liga- 

 ment) arise from the lower part of the sesamoid bones, run 

 downwards and inwards, converging at an acute angle. They 

 become attached to the posterior surface of the centre of the 

 suffraginis bone, and extend downwards to near its lower end, 

 covering the already described rough triangle on the posterior 

 surface of that bone. 



The cruciate ligament (e) (deep inferior sesamoidean ligament), 

 formed of flat crossed fibres, closely applied to one another, is 

 covered by the lateral limbs of the inferior sesamoidean liga- 

 ment. The fibres themselves arise from the upper part of the 

 posterior surface of the suffraginis bone, and, after crossing, end 

 at the lower part of the sesamoid bones. 



(4) Towards the sides the sesamoid bones are attached by 

 the two lateral sesamoidean ligaments (/). These arise from 

 the lower part of the corresponding surface of the sesamoid 

 bones, and divide into two portions, the upper becoming attached 



