THE LIMBS OF THE HORSE 163 



central tarsal bone (scaphoid), and a plantar ligament connects the 

 calcaneus and the combined first and second tarsal (cuneiform) bones. 



The fourth tarsal bone is connected with the fourth metatarsal 

 bone by lateral, dorsal, and plantar ligaments, and a dorsal ligament 

 unites it with the central bone (scaphoid). 



Dorsal ligaments pass between the central bone and the third 

 tarsal (cuneiform) bone, the fourth tarsal (cuboid) and the third tarsal 

 (cuneiform) bone, and between the combined first and second and the 

 third tarsal bones (cuneiform bones). 



The following ligaments join the bones of the distal row to the 

 metatarsal bones. (1) A medial ligament connects the combined 

 first and second tarsal bones (medial cuneiform) with the metatarsus. 

 (2) A dorsal ligament passes from the third tarsal (lateral cuneiform) 

 bone to the third metatarsal. (3) A plantar ligament binds the com- 

 bined first and second tarsal bones (medial cuneiform) to the third 

 metatarsal. (4) An interosseous ligament passes from the third tarsal 

 (lateral cuneiform) bone to the third metatarsal. 



In addition to those already mentioned, interosseous ligaments pass 

 between the following bones : From the talus and calcaneus to the 

 central and fourth tarsal bones, from the central to the third tarsal 

 bone (lateral cuneiform), from the central to the fourth tarsal bone 

 (cuboid), and from the fourth to the third tarsal bone. 



It is clear that the disposition of numerous ligaments prevents 

 anything more than a small degree of gliding movement between the 

 individual tarsal bones. Free movement, on the contrary, takes place 

 in the talo-crural articulation. From the nature of the opposed 

 articular surfaces of the talus and the tibia, flexion and extension only 

 are possible ; and, because of the obliquity of the ridges on the talus, 

 the distal part of the limb is abducted to a certain extent during 

 flexion. 



The joints of the metatarsus and digit are similar to the correspond- 

 ing articulations of the thoracic limb. 



[Arteries. 



