386 



PEOF. M. WATSON AND DR. A. H. YOUNG ON 



lation the band divides into three portions, a central and two lateral ; the 

 central portion after being connected to tlie sesamoid bones in this region 

 is inserted into the bases of the first phalanges of the two anterior toes ; 

 the lateral portions pass one along the outer, and the other along the inner 

 side of the metatarso-phalangeal joints to terminate on the dorsal aspect 

 of the second phalanges of the anterior toes, by uniting with the extensor 

 tendons. 



Anterior Tibial Helton. 



Flexor of the Metatarsus arises by two heads. One is attached by 

 means of a strong tendon to a pit on the front of the external condyle of 

 the femur, as well as by muscular fibres to the outer surface of the ante- 

 rior tibial spine. The fibres give place to a stout tendon which passes be- 

 neath an annular ligament situated just above the ankle-joint, and is in- 

 serted into the inner side of the upper end of the great metatarsal bone, 

 after being perforated by the tendon of insertion of the second head of the 

 muscle. This second head is attached superiorly to the outer side of the 

 anterior tibial spine, to the outer side of the shaft of the tibia, and to a 

 stout fascia which conceals the tendon of the first head. The tendon of 

 the second head passes beneath the annular ligament, perforates that of 

 the first head, and is inserted immediately below it. 



Peroneus (lateral flexor of phalanges) arises from the external tubero- 

 sity of the tibia behind the extensor of the toes, and from a strong inter- 

 muscular septum which separates it from the neighbouring muscles oppo- 

 site the upper two thirds of the tibia. Its tendon of insertion passes along 

 the outer side of the ankle and beneath the inferior annular ligament to 

 the lower end of the metatarsal bone, where it forms a flattened expansion, 

 which is inserted into the dorsal aspects of the second phalanges of the 

 anterior toes. 



Extensor of the Phalanges Rrheshy means of two muscular bellies from 

 the outer condyle of the femur ; these end on separate tendons which pass 

 together beneath both anterior annular ligaments as far as the lower end of 

 the metatarsal bone. The inner tendon unites with the fibrous expansion 

 formed by that of the peroneus, whilst the outer divides opposite the meta- 

 tarso-phalangeal articulation into two slips, which pass to be inserted into 

 the terminal phalanges of the anterior toes. This latter tendon is more- 

 over joined about the middle of the metatarsal bone by a small fleshy slip 

 which arises from the proximal end of that bone. 



A muscle, which appears to have no representative in the horse, and 

 which forms as it were a second flexor of the metatarsus, arises from the 

 outer surface of the external tuberosity of the tibia and from the fascial 

 septum between it and the peroneus. It ends on a delicate tendon which 

 is inserted into a deep pit on the posterior and external aspect of the me- 

 tatarsal bone about one inch below its upper end. 



