238 



THE ARTICULATIONS OF THE HORSE 



The lateral ligament (Lig. collaterale fibulare) is somewhat thicker; it arises from 

 the upper depression on the lateral epicondyle, and ends on the head of the fibula. 



Middle patellar 

 ligament 



Lateral patellar 

 ligament 



Medial patellar 

 ligament 



Medial eondyle v 



Medied meniscus 



Lateral 

 condyle 



Fig. 2'i1). — Proximal End of Right Tibia with Menisci, Etc. 

 1, 2, Antfrior and posterior cruciate ligaments; 3, posterior ligament of medial meniscus 



lateral meniscus 



and lateral femoro-tibi; 



4, femoral ligament of 

 5, 5', anterior ligaments of menisci; 6, groove for popliteus tendon; 7, spine of tibia; S, 9, medial 



ligaments. 



It covers the tendon of the origin of the popliteus muscle, a bursa being interposed 



between the two; another bursa is present 

 between the lower part of the ligament and 

 the margin of the lateral condyle of the tibia. 

 The cruciate ligaments are two strong 

 rounded bands situated mainly in the inter- 

 condyloid fossa of the femur, between the two 

 sjmovial sacs. They cross each other some- 

 what in the form of an X, and are named ac- 

 cording to their tibial attachments. The 

 anterior cruciate ligament (Lig. cruciatum an- 

 terius) arises in the central fossa on the tibial 

 spine, extends upward and backward, and ends 

 on the lateral wall of the intercondyloid fossa. 

 The posterior cruciate ligament (Lig. crucia- 

 tum posterius) is medial to the preceding, and 

 is somewhat larger. It is attached to an emi- 

 nence at the popliteal notch of the tibia, is 

 directed upward and forward, and ends in the 

 anterior part of the intercondyloid fossa of 

 the femur. 



Fig. 251. — Proximal Exd of Right Tibia of 

 Horse, with Are-as of Lig.amextous At- 



tachment. 



1, 2, Aledial and lateral patellar ligaments; 

 3, 4, anterior ligaments of menisci; 5, 7, anterior 

 and posterior cruciate ligaments; 6, posterior 

 ligament of medial meniscus. 



It may be added that these hgaments do not lie in a sagittal plane, but are somewhat twisted 

 across each other; outwartl rotation of the leg untwists and slackens them. 



Movements. — The principal movements of the stifle joint as a whole are 



