26 
THE VETERINARY SCIEMCE 
I. The Important Points of Joints in the Legs. 
3. Shoulder Joint. — This joint is formed by the lower 
end of the shoulder blade, or scapula, and the upper end of the 
humerus or shoulder bone. This is a ball-and-socket joint, 
and has a strong capsular ligament. It is held to its place 
also by several large muscles, the most important one being 
the flexor brachii, which passes down over the shoulder joint 
through a pulley-like process on the bone. It is held down 
by a binding ligament which is supplied by a synovial mem- 
brane, or sack. This is the seat of what is called shoulder 
joint lameness. The motion of this joint is outward or 
inward, backward or forward. 
4., The Elbow Joint is formed by the lower part of the 
humerus and the upper part of the radius and ulna. It has 
a capsular ligament and binding ligaments, one on the inside 
and one on the outside. The action of this joint is only for- 
ward and backward, or flection and extension. It has no side 
motion. 
5. Carpus, or Knee, — This is a very important joint, con- 
structed of eight bones, having two rows, four in each, held 
together by strong, short ligaments. Thus there are three 
separate articular surfaces in this joint. The top side of the 
upper row articulates with the bone of forearm ; this surface 
gives the most motion to the knee. Another articulation 
between the two rows of bones gives slight motion to the 
knee, but not so much as the upper articular surface. Be- 
tween the lower part of the lower row of bones and the upper 
part of metacarpal, or shin bones, is another articular sur- 
face which gives slight motion to the knee. This joint has 
a large capsular ligament, and has binding ligaments inside 
and outside. The action of this joint is the same as elbow 
joint. 
6. Fetlock Joint. — This is formed above by the lower 
part of the shin, or metacarpal bone, and below by the upper 
part of the large pastern bone. At the back of this joint 
there are two small bones called the sesamoid bones. This 
joint has a capsular and two lateral binding ligaments. The 
motion of this joint is backward and forward, same as knee. 
7. Pastern Joint. — This joint is situated just above the 
hoof, and is formed by the lower end of the large pastern 
bone and the upper end of the small pastern bone. It has a 
