ANATOMY OF THE FORE FOOT OF THE OX. 309 
between the knee and fetlock, it gives off the inner or right me- 
tacarpal nerve ; it then takes an oblique direction at the back 
of the tendons, and about midway between the knee and fetlock 
a branch is given off, which becomes the left or external meta- 
carpal nerve . The main trunk continues at the back of the 
tendon to the fetlock joint, giving off superficial branches ; and, 
passing between the dew-claws, becomes the posterior plantar 
nerve , which accompanies the artery, dividing and subdividing 
with its branches. 
The right or internal metacarpal nerve advances towards the 
side of the flexor tendons, and is continued between them and 
the suspensory ligament. About midway between the knee and 
fetlock two filaments branch out, one going to the extensor 
tendon and the other to the superficial parts. At the fetlock 
joint this nerve becomes the right or internal plantar , which 
sends off' the following branches : 
(a) a filament very closely connected to the artery. 
(ft) another, which advances downwards and forwards, passes 
under the artery, and then divides into two portions, one of 
which joins the branch (a). 
( c ) a filament, supplying the pastern joint. 
( d ) one supplying the tendons. 
(e) a branch which subdivides to reach the superficial parts. 
After giving off' these branches, the right plantar nerve passes 
under the perforatus tendon, then emerging, distributes filaments 
to the extensor tendon ; after which, in numerous divisions, it 
enters the coronary ligament. 
The left or external metacarpal and plantar nerves have a very 
similar distribution with those just described. 
The anterior metacarpal nerve is found with the vein just 
below the knee, and continues its course in front of the meta- 
carpal bone to the fetlock, where it becomes the anterior plantar 
nerve. Its branches are, 
(A) which proceeds to the superficial parts a little below the 
knee. 
(B) an important branch which is given off about one-third of 
the distance between the knee and fetlock, and takes an oblique 
course (giving off a few superficial filaments) to the inner part 
of the fetlock joint, where it is situated upon the suspensory 
ligament. Above the fetlock, a filament proceeds to the extensor 
tendon, and another to the fetlock joint ; and below this, branches 
are sent to superficial parts, and to the front of the small 
pasterp joint, and the continuation of the nerve is distributed 
on the coronet. 
VOJi. IX. 
s s 
