THE SESAMOIDEAN LIGAMENTS 



225 



ulnare et radiale), arise on the abaxial surface of each sesamoid bone, pass forward, 

 and divide into two branches, one- of which ends in the depression on the distal end 

 of the large metacarpal bone, the other on the eminence On the proximal end of the 

 first phalanx. They are partly covered by the branches of the suspensory or 

 superior sesamoidean ligament. 



The suspensory ligament or interosseous tendon (Tendo interosseus)i lies in 

 great part in the metacarpal groove, where it has the form of a wide, thick 

 band. It is attached above to the proximal part of the posterior surface of the large 



Extensor tendon 



Proximal end of capsule of fetlock 

 joint 



Bursa 



Collateral ligament of fetlock joint — 

 Fascia 



Branch of suspe7isory ligament 



Lateral volar ligament of pastern Ip 



joint }\ 



Suspensory ligament of navicular 

 bone 

 Band from cartilage to extensor 

 tendon 

 Collateral ligament of coffin joint 



Superficial flexor tendon 



Deep flexor tendon 

 Suspensory ligament 

 Lateral interosseous tendon 



Proximal end of digital sheath 

 Ring of superficial flexor tendon 

 I ntersesamoidean ligament 

 Posterior amiular ligament (cut) 



Collateral sesamoidean ligament 

 Superficial distal sesamoideini 



ligament 

 Middle distal sesamoidean ligament 



Attachments of proximal digital 

 annular ligament 



Pouch of digital sheath 



Distal digital annular ligameyit 

 Cartilage of third phalanx 



Fig. 240.— Ligaments and Tendons of Distal Paet of Limb op Hohse. 



Mo IIL Large metacarpal bone; Ph.I, first phalanx; Ph.II, second phalanx; Ph.III, third phalanx; 1, deep flexor 



tendon; 2, band from first phalanx to digital cushion. (After Schmaltz, Atlas d. Anat. d. Pferdes.) 



metacarpal bone and to the distal row of carpal bones. At the distal fourth of the 

 metacarpus it divides into two diverging branches. Each branch passes to the ^ 

 abaxial face of the corresponding sesamoid, on which a considerable part is attached. 

 The remainder passes obhquely downward and forward to the dorsal surface of the 

 first phalanx, where it joins the extensor tendon; there is a bursa between this ex- 

 tensor branch and the proximal end of the first phalanx. This ligament possesses 



1 This is also known as the superior sesamoidean hgament; it is described here in deference 

 to custom and on account of its ligamentous function. 

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