THE SESAMOIDEAN LIGAMENTS 227 
moid ligament, and its deep face to the triangular rough area on the volar surface 
of the first phalanx. The deep or cruciate sesamoidean ligaments (Ligg. sesamoidea 
cruciata) consist of two thin layers of fibers which arise on the base of the sesa- 
moid bones, cross each other, and end on the opposite eminence on the proximal 
end of the first phalanx. 
The two short sesamoidean ligaments (Ligg. sesamoidea brevia) are best seen 
Skin 
Tendon of common extensor 
Bursa 
Capsule of fetlock joint —z 
Cavity of fetlock joint 
Middle sesamoidean ligament 
Digital synovial sheath 
Cavity of pastern joint 
Superficial sesamoidean ligament 
~ Deep flexor tendon 
Distal end of digital sheath 
12 
Cavity of pastern joint 
Cavity of coffin joint Z 
Corium of periople 
Periople 
Coronary corium 
Wall 
Lamine 
11 
Digital cushion 
C A y 
SA Deep flexor 12' 
tendon 
Sole Corium of sole 
Fic. 242.—Sacirrat Section oF Dicir anp Distat Part oF Metacarpus OF Horse. 
A, Metacarpal bone; B, first phalanx; C, second phalanx; D, third phalanx; £, distal sesamoid bone; 1, volar 
pouch of capsule of fetlock joint; 2, intersesamoidean ligament; 3, 4, proximal end of digital synovial sheath; 5, ring 
formed by superficial flexor tendon; 6, fibrous tissue underlying ergot; 7, ergot; 8, 9, 9’, branches of digital vessels; 10, 
distal ligament of distal sesamoid bone; 11, suspensory ligament of distal sesamoid bone; 12, 12’, proximal and distal 
ends of bursa podotrochlearis. By an oversight the superficial flexor tendon (behind 4) is not marked. 
by opening the joint in front and pushing the sesamoid bones backward; they 
are covered by the synovial membrane. Each is a short band which extends from 
the anterior part of the base of the sesamoid bone outward or inward to the posterior 
margin of the articular surface of the first phalanx. 
The distal sesamoidean ligaments may be regarded as digital continuations 
of the suspensory ligament, the sesamoid bones being intercalated in this remark- 
able stay apparatus, by which the fetlock is supported and concussion diminished. 
