THE STIFLE JOINT 



233 



half an inch wide, and lies under the narrow articular area which connects the trochlea and medial 

 condyle. The lateral communication occurs in 18 to 25 per cent, of cases, according to Baum; in 

 rare cases it is larger than the inner one. It is instructive to distend this capsule and thus obtain 

 an idea of its potential capacity and relations (Fig. 246) . 



Ligaments. — The femoro-patellar ligaments, lateral and medial (Lig. femoro- 

 patellare fibulare, tibiale), are two thin bands which reinforce the capsule on either 



Femur " 



Accessory cartilage of 

 patella 



Medial ridge of trochlea 

 Medial patellar ligament 



Medial epicondyle 



Medial femoro-tibial 

 ligament 



Medial meniscus 

 Medial condyle of tibia 



Tuberosity of tibia 



Patella 



Biceps femoris 



Lateral patellar ligament 



ir — Lateral fenioro-tibial 

 •?/•?♦. Ilk l' ligament 



z^-'i Lateral meniscus 



Lateral condyle of tibia 



Interosseous space 



Fibula 



Interosseous ligament 



Fig. 245.— Left Stifle Joint of Horse; Feont View. The Capsules ahb Removed. 

 1, Middle patellar ligament; 2, stump of fascia lata; 3, stump of common tendon of extensor longus and peroneus 



tertius. 



side. The lateral ligament is fairly distinct; it arises from the lateral epicondyle of 

 the femur just above the lateral femoro-tibial ligament, and ends on the lateral 

 border of the patella. The medial ligament is thinner and is not distinct from the 

 capsule; it arises above the medial epicondyle, and ends on the patellar fibro-car- 



+ ■[1 Q OTA 



The pateUar ligaments (Ligg. patella)! are three very strong bands which at- 

 1 They are also termed the straight Ugaments of the patella. This term seems objectionable 

 since they are all oblique in direction. 



