134 ANATOMY OF THE FORE FOOT OF THE OX. 
synovial theca in front of the joint. Each portion continues in- 
clined rather outwardly along the anterior surfaces of the pas- 
tern bones, and becomes inserted into the superior and rough 
portion of the os pedis. 
Arteries. — The large metacarpal artery is situated at the 
posterior part of the tendo-perforatus. It continues its course in 
a straight direction with its vein and nerve, until within an inch 
of the fetlock, where it divides into two trunks. The larger con- 
tinues in a perpendicular direction at the back of the fetlock joint, 
and becomes the large plantar artery. The smaller bifurcation 
goes off at right angles from the preceding towards the left side, 
where it divides into two branches. The lesser descends, and, 
after giving a few small trunks to the joints and other parts, be- 
comes the left plantar artery . The greater division takes its 
course upwards, giving off a few recurrent branches ; it passes in- 
wardly between the flexor tendons and the suspensory ligament, 
and joins the ramus anastomoticus, coming from the right or small 
metacarpal artery. The left plantar artery , descending from 
the fetlock joint, gives off a branch to the extensor tendons and 
parts around, and, a little below this, it separates into many 
small trunks, which subdivide and supply the coronary liga- 
ment. 
The large plantar artery , a little below the fetlock, enters the 
fatty substance between the pastern bones, in which it continues 
to the division of the foot, inclining, however, towards the left 
side. At the commencement of the hoof, it is continued be- 
tween the sensible laminae and the internal side of the left os 
pedis, in a direction towards its toe, where it enters a foramen, 
and within the bone the arteries of the sole and lamina are 
given off. The branches of the large plantar are, 
(A) which goes off at right angles from the trunk ; and after 
giving off a recurrent branch , enters between the right flexor 
tendons and the small pastern. 
( B ) goes off just opposite the preceding, and pursues a similar 
course on the left side. A little below the origin of this artery 
is given off 
(C) which supplies the right cartilago-ligamentous heels. 
(JD) arises near the latter, and takes a direction between the 
small pastern bones to the anterior part of the foot, where it 
splits into two portious, from each of which branches supply the 
pastern ; and then each trunk enters a foramen in the internal 
part of each os pedis, having sent a branch into a foramen situ- 
ated at the superior part of the bone. 
( E ) arises near the origin of the last artery ( D ), and proceeds 
to the left side to supply the cartilago-ligamentous heels. A 
