MUSCLES OF THE OUTSIDE OF THE THIGH. 
239 
f. This is the tendinous expansion which binds and strengthens 
the above muscles. 
g, Is the flexor metatarsi , or muscle used to bend the hocks, or 
bender of the leg. It arises from the lower part of the upper 
none of the thigh, and is inserted into the upper portion of the 
shank-bone, and also the inner splint-bone. It is a muscle of 
considerable power. 
h The extensor pedis. It is situated on the anterior part of the 
thigh, and is attached to a roughened depression upon the 
antero-inferior part of the external condyle of the femoral-bone, 
and below to the coronal process of the os pedis, and to the 
upper edge of the bone in the interval between the lateral 
cartilages. Its office is the extension of the foot, as well as the 
fetlock and pastern joints. 
j. This letter is placed at the situation occupied by the principal 
nerves before they pass under the muscle. They take a direc¬ 
tion nearly in a line with the letter c. 
p. The poplitams, or femoro-tibialis obliquus, a short, thick, 
triangular muscle, extending from the upper to the lower thigh¬ 
bones, bending the stifle, and turning the limb inward. 
k The use of this muscle is to extend the hock. It is an ex¬ 
ceedingly powerful muscle, having its origin in the head of the 
upper bone of the thigh, and, midway down the lower bone of 
the thigh, ending in a flat tendon, which is inserted into the 
joint of the hock. It is advantageously placed for powerful 
exertion, for it acts nearly at right angles. 
n The peronoeus , which is another of the extensor muscles, and 
so called from a name given to the fibula. It arises from the 
whole course of the fibula, and also becomes tendinous before 
reaching the hock. About half-way down the shank, it occu¬ 
pies the same sheath as the principal extensor muscle, and is 
inserted along with it into the coffin-bone. The province of 
the extensor muscles is to raise the foot from the ground, and 
to bring it forward under the body. 
o. The flexor pedis, one of the chief bending or flexor muscles of 
the foot, which has its* origin in the upper part of the tibia 
As it approaches the hock, it is distinguished by its large round 
tendon, which is seen to enter into a groove at the back of the 
hock. It is continued down the ba^ of the leg in the same 
