32 
MAMMALIAN ANATOMY 
Membranous ( e.g., fasciae, sheaths of tendons, periosteum). 
Fascicular (e.g., tendons and ligaments). 
2. Rigid Tissues. 
Cartilage (e.g., hyaline cartilage, fibro-cartilage). 
Bone. 
Note and record, as the dissection progresses, the physical 
properties of each of the above tissues. 
Method of Dissection. —Remove the skin from the entire 
foot, being careful in the vicinity of the hoofs not to cut the under¬ 
lying parts. Dissect first from the extensor side. By cutting 
through the sheaths of the tendons and their ligamentous loops 
(annular ligaments), expose the fresh glistening surface of the 
tendons and follow them to their ultimate insertion into the bones. 
Note that, in making this insertion, the tendon fibers spread out 
and actually enter into the formation of the sheath of the bone 
(the periosteum). 
Similarly dissect from the flexor side, noting that here portions 
of the distal ends of the muscles are present; also that the tendons 
are much more deeply located, and that therefore their dissection 
involves, throughout, the removal of much more loose connective 
and adipose tissue, which on the flexor surface of the digits assumes 
the form of definite pad-like structures (“walking pads”)* In 
the dissection of the flexor side, work out the general course of 
two sets of flexor tendons into each digit. Following these out in 
detail into one of the larger digits, note that the more superficial 
one eventually divides over the metacarpo-phalangeal (metatarso¬ 
phalangeal) joint into two slips, which allow the deeper tendon to 
pass between them to its more distal insertion. Trace both the 
superficial and the deeper tendons to their insertion. Note in 
connection with the metacarpo-phalangeal (metatarso-phalangeal) 
joint the development of sesamoid cartilages (fibro-cartilage) and 
sesamoid bones. 
Dissecting still more deeply upon the extensor side, study the 
various joint structures. Note the arrangement of the external 
band ligaments; the continuity of the periosteum of each bone 
concerned in the joint into a loose joint capsule which entirely 
encloses the joint; the smooth, moist synovial membrane which 
