THE FLEXOR PEDIS PERFORAXS TENDON. 



43 



prominence on the lower surface of the navicular bone. Finally, 

 it is inserted into the entire surface bounded by the half-moon- 

 shaped space already described on the 

 lower surface of the pedal bone. The 

 lower part of its posterior surface rests 

 in a special space (fig. 27, c), on the 

 plantar cushion. 



The flexor tendons, like the extensors, 

 are held in place from behind by special 

 check ligaments, which fasten them to 

 the bones of the foot. These consist — 



(1) Of a broad, strong, annular liga- 

 ment, which arises from the sides of 

 the sesamoid bones and surrounds the 

 perforatus (fig. 27, d, and fig. 31,/). 



(2) Of a mass of fibrous tissue at- 

 tached to the skin, which embraces the 

 perforatus tendon below the fetlock 

 joint like a girdle (fig. 27, d^). It is 

 attached by its two upper and stronger 

 limbs (fig. 27, d^^) to either side of the 

 upper end of the os suffraginis behind 

 the lateral ligament ; its two lower, 

 weaker limbs are inserted on the sides 

 of the lower third of the suffraginis bone. 

 Above, this fibrous mass unites with the 

 annular ligament, and its central portion 

 is, in general, very intimately connected 

 with the flexor pedis perforatus tendon. 



(3) Of a more elastic ligamentous 

 apparatus embedded in the skin (fig. 

 27, e), which covers the lower end of the 

 perforans tendon, and is closely con- 

 nected with it. Two strong, elongated, 

 and somewhat elastic bands (fig. 27, e') 

 arise from the pedal bone at the point 

 of insertion of the perforans tendon, 

 and pass in an upward direction, cover- 

 ing the points of insertion of the per- 

 foratus tendon, and becoming inserted into the lateral aspects 



¥10. 27. — Right fore-foot seen 

 from behiiul and slightly from 

 one side, a, flexor pedis per- 

 foratus tendon ; b, two limbs 

 formed by its bifurcation ; c, 

 flexor pedis perforans tendon ; 

 d, fibrous reinforcing band of 

 great sesamoid sheath ; d', 

 fibrous supporting sheath in- 

 serted into suffraginis bone by 

 four heads ; d", upper insei-- 

 tions (the lower not visible in 

 figure); e, fibro-elastic plate 

 covering the lower surface of 

 flexor p. perforans and inserted 

 into suffraginis bone at e'; f, 

 suspensory ligament. 



