V/.xV /./>' "/' V///: rnsTI'.HInn /./.!//;> 301 



*. -In front, with the anterior extensor of the phalanges; 

 l, with the muscular portion, and the anterior capsular ligament of 

 tin- tarsus. 



Action. This tendon enjoys the curious property of bending the hock 

 by :in action altogether mechanical, whenever flexion of the superior bones 

 of the limb takes place. It is, therefore, a conducting cord, whoso office it 

 is to regulate the movements of flexion in the hock, and conform them to 

 those taking place in the other joints, without requiring the intervention of 

 an active agency for the execution of these movements. 



Another function has also been attributed to it : that of passively opposing 

 the flexion of the femur on the tibia while the animal is standing, and in 

 this way serving as an adjunct to the muscular powers which support the 

 weight of the body. But, in our opinion, this is incorrect; as in order that 

 it niiiy perform this task, it would be necessary for the foot to be maintained 

 in :i iixed position by the contraction of its extensor muscles. But these 

 muscles are really the gastrocnemii, which have their origin behind the 

 femur, and which undoubtedly tend to flex that bone on the tibia that is, to 

 determine the movement it is supposed to prevent. And experiment clearly 

 shows that we are justified in this opinion ; for division of this tendinous cord 

 in the living animal docs not interfere in the slightest degree with its 

 natural attitude, either when standing at liberty or when forced to stand. 1 



B. MOSOULAR POUTION. Situation Form Structure. Situated between 

 the tendinous cord and the tibia, this portion is elongated from above to 

 below, very wide at its superior part and narrow infcriorly, where it termi- 

 in a bifid tendon. 



Att'ii-liiiK (//.-. It originates, by the upper extremity of its muscular fibres, 

 from the tibia, below and on the sides of the groove through which the 

 tendinous cord passes ; its most superficial fibres are even attached to the 

 aponeiiiMtie sheath which envelopes the lateral extensor. Its terminal tendon 

 136, () traverses the annular ligament which the tendinous portion 

 at its inferior extremity, and becomes inserted, by one of its branches, 



1 .1. F. Meeki -1 iLhtly roiiMder.s this t< ndinous cord, not as a portion of the anterior 



tit.ial, Inn 08 a d.-|M-ndeney of the extensor loii^'iis d ;;itonim. Jt would lx> wri'tiur, 



riU- it apart from the anterior til>ial. !" | -r\\ r-o-ealled that is, the 



mii-mlar |>rtion of our llex^r of the metatar.-n- . the t\\o Ix'inj^, in their action, 



::illy one. 



ii.-re anything in the human S|M .-.- i> to this til irons cord ? After much 



.tion, we anvvi r in the attirmatixe. and ^ive it us our opinion that this tendon n-pn- 

 tln- Anterior p.-ron. u.- ( /( , /-..//. u* I, rtiii*) in Man. These are our reasons for making 



I tir-t .-L'ht : In Man. the ]eroiicus ti rtius 



j distinguished from the extensor InogM digitONB ; so that tlies.- 

 two i: \ }\ re'/ardeil us a ningle one until rea-liin^ tin- in>tep. where it f\- 



to tin- |.hida!e_'. .- of ' .ilie p;ilt, Uinl the in. talar.-lls on the other. 



ie arrant men) is foiiii'l in Soli|M-.ls : the single muvle divid.-.-, in-,, two 



nil. o ie li.r t ,e ili^it:il region <ml< n<.r < .lit n<-<<r f Hi' t ili il-tnyrs). the otln-r to the 



i (/. niliitiiii* <;,r<l of fur flexvr mtlnt-ir ,). 'I'hi- >r<\. then, 



(uliutof the long oomiDon azteonr of the tonkin Man\ \\hii-h 



i he mi -tatar-n-. an I i~ >1. -i.'liated tin- peron.-u- t'-rtills. 



l!ut to tlii.-i it may \> .-aid : your JMTOIK-IIS tertin.-. in the Uorec has ii" relitimi what 

 to tin- |M-roiieii>. ii'id' doi - not this pm\e that yon an- in error? No; f-T if llii- i 



. -li.-d f) the til. ilia in M:'.n. it is I.. ( au- tli.' priu-.-ipal mnsrle on whirh it de|M-n<l.i 

 there itrtelf. JJut us the anterior extensor of the phitlanp s of the Horse 



that i, the eoiiilil'ill i Xti-n.- ,r of the toCH JH Hot inserted into the liUlhl, and h 



lion with it in any way. it.- im-tatarsnl lascicnlna, or rutlu-r it.- tendinous eord <r 

 |M-ron.-ii- lertin-, oiii^iit. t> \><- aK-o',ute|\ in the - une condition. ^ : ; t I. 

 that this opinion may lie, |H-rhnps, 11 little ha/. ndoii> ; and we -_-iv. it with r> 

 tlioiiirh we have I lie M a-oii.- for c-'i^idt riu ir it to ! mm c-t. 



