In the ox the small (fifth) metacarpal bone articulates with the large
metacarpal, but not with the carpus. The joint cavity is connected with
that of the carpo-metacarpal sac. The proximal end of the small
metacarpal bone is attached by a ligament to the fourth carpal, and
another band extends from its distal part to the side of the large
metacarpal. There is also an interosseous ligament, which is permanent
and allows a small amount of movement.
The chief metacarpal bones of the pig, and the second to the fifth of
the dog, articulate with each other at their proximal ends, and are
connected by interosseous ligaments, which do not, however, unite them
closely, as in the horse.
[Illustration:
FIG. 168.—DISTAL PART OF LIMB OF OX, SHOWING LIGAMENTS AND TENDONS.
ONE DIGIT AND CORRESPONDING ARTICULAR PART OF METACARPAL BONE ARE
REMOVED.
_a_, Suspensory ligament; _a′_, branch of _a_ to superficial flexor
tendon; _a″_, _a‴_, lateral and central branches of _a_; _b_, deep
flexor tendon; _b′_, branch of _b_ to digit removed; _c_, _c′_,
superficial flexor tendon; _d_, _d′_, intersesamoid ligament (cut);
_e_, interdigital lateral ligament of fetlock joint; _f_, tendon of
common extensor; _g_, proximal interdigital ligament; _h_, digital
annular ligament; _i_, posterior annular ligament of fetlock; _k_,
lateral ligament of pastern joint; _l_, distal interdigital
ligament; _m_, crucial interdigital ligament (cut); _m′_, _m″_,
attachments of _m_ to second phalanx and distal sesamoid bone; _n_,
suspensory ligament of distal sesamoid; _o_, anterior elastic
ligament; _p_, lateral volar ligament of pastern joint; _1_,
metacarpus, sawn off at _1′_; _2_, first phalanx; _3_, second
phalanx; _4_, third phalanx. (Ellenberger-Baum, Anat. d. Haustiere.)
]