MYOLOGY 221 



It arises above from the inferior extremity of the femur, 

 from the fossa situated between the trochlea and the ex- 

 ternal condyle ; therefore, it has a common origin with the 

 tendinous portion of the tibialis anticus, or flexor of the 

 metatarsus. 



The tendon, which at the level of the inferior part of 

 the leg succeeds to the fleshy body, passes in front of 

 the tarsus, the principal metatarsal, and receives the ten- 

 don of the peroneus brevis which we will describe later on. 

 It then reaches the anterior surface of the fetlock. There 

 it presents an arrangement analogous to that which we 

 have pointed out in connection with the anterior extensor 

 of the phalanges — a muscle which, in the fore-limbs, corre- 

 sponds to the common extensor of the digits ; that is to say, 

 it is inserted, in form of an expansion, into the pyra- 

 midal prominence of the third phalanx, after having formed 

 attachments to the first and second, and having received 

 on each side a strengthening band from the suspensory 

 ligament of the fetlock. 



In the ox the long extensor of the toes is united above, 

 and for a great part of its length, with the portion of the 

 tibiaUs anticus, which represents, albeit in the fleshy state, 

 the tendinous cord of the latter in the horse. 



In common with this portion, it arises from the inferior 

 extremity of the femur. Thence it passes towards the tarsus 

 and divides into two fasciculi, internal and external, which 

 are continued by tendons. These pass towards the 

 phalanges, and, in case of the common extensor of the digits 

 belonging to the fore-limbs, the internal is destined for the 

 internal toe, and the external is common to the two toes. 



In the pig the general arrangement of the muscle is 

 similar, but the tendons end in a manner which is a little 

 more complicated. Apart from the fasciculi which corre- 

 spond to the tendinous portion of the tibialis anticus 

 (fleshy here, as in the ox), the long extensor of the toes 

 at the level of the tarsus divides into three tendons : the 

 internal goes to the great internal toe ; the middle bifur- 

 cates in the upper part of the digital portion of the foot, 

 and each of its branches goes towards one of the great-toes ;, 



