Part 85

Action.—To extend the digit and carpus.

Structure.—The muscle is pennate, and is inclosed in a sheath formed by the deep fascia, from which many fibers arise. The belly is thin and fusiform and terminates at the lower third of the forearm. From here the tendon (at first small and round) passes downward through the groove on the outer tuberosity of the distal end of the radius, then over the carpus, and, gradually inclining toward the front, but not reaching the middle line of the limb, it passes over the metacarpus and fetlock to its insertion. Two =synovial membranes= occur in connection with the tendon. A =sheath= envelops the tendon, beginning about three inches (ca. 6 to 8 cm.) above the carpus, and reaching to the proximal end of the metacarpus. At the fetlock a small bursa lies between the tendon and the joint capsule, but otherwise the tendon is adherent to the capsule. The tendon becomes flat and much larger below the carpus, having received the tendon of the radial head of the anterior extensor and a strong band from the accessory carpal bone.

FIG. 191.—MUSCLES OF LEFT THORACIC LIMB OF HORSE FROM ELBOW DOWNWARD; EXTERNAL VIEW.

a, Extensor carpi radialis; g, brachialis; g′, anterior superficial pectoral; c, anterior or common digital extensor; e, flexor carpi externus. (After Ellenberger-Baum, Anat. für Künstler.) ]

Relations.—Superficially, the skin and fascia; deeply, the outer face of the radius and ulna; in front, the common extensor, the oblique extensor, and the interosseous artery; behind, the external flexor of the carpus and the deep flexor of the digit.

Blood-supply.—Interosseous artery.

Nerve-supply.—Radial nerve.

4. =Extensor carpi obliquus= (M. abductor pollicis longus et extensor pollicis brevis; oblique extensor of the metacarpus; extensor metacarpi obliquus).—This is a small muscle which curves obliquely over the distal half of the radius and the carpus.

Origin.—The external border and adjacent part of the anterior surface of the radius (the attachment area beginning at a point above the middle of the bone and extending down to its lower fourth).

Insertion.—The head of the inner (second) metacarpal bone.

Action.—To extend the carpal joint.

Structure.—The muscle is pennate and has a flat belly which curves downward, forward, and inward over the distal part of the radius. The tendon continues the direction of the muscle, crossing obliquely over the tendon of the extensor carpi radialis; it then occupies the oblique groove at the distal end of the radius, and crosses the inner face of the carpus. It is provided with a =synovial sheath=.

FIG. 192.—CROSS-SECTION OF MIDDLE OF RIGHT FOREARM OF HORSE.

a, Accessory cephalic vein; b, cutaneous branch of median nerve; c, extensor carpi obliquus; d, posterior radial artery; e, satellite vein; f, median nerve; g, g′, ulnar vessels; h, ulnar nerve; i, cephalic vein; k, tendon of ulnar head of deep flexor; l, interosseous artery; m, extensor carpi radialis; n, anterior digital extensor; o, lateral digital extensor; p, flexor carpi externus; q, q, q, humeral heads of deep digital flexor; r, radial head of same; s, superficial digital flexor; t, flexor carpi medius; u, flexor carpi internus; v, radius; w, skin; x, anterior radial artery. (After Ellenberger, in Leisering’s Atlas.) ]

Relations.—Superficially, the skin and fascia, the lateral extensor, and the common extensor; deeply, the radius, the extensor carpi radialis, the carpal capsule, and the internal lateral ligament.

Blood-supply.—Interosseous and anterior radial arteries.

Nerve-supply.—Radial nerve.

B. FLEXOR DIVISION

1. =Flexor carpi internus= (M. flexor carpi radialis s. radialis volaris; internal flexor of the metacarpus).—This muscle lies on the inner surface of the forearm, immediately behind the inner border of the radius.

Origin.—The flexor (internal) epicondyle of the humerus, below and behind the lateral ligament.

Insertion.—The proximal end of the internal (second) metacarpal bone.

Action.—To flex the carpal joint and to extend the elbow.

Structure.—The muscle has a short tendon of origin, which is succeeded by a somewhat flattened, fusiform belly. The tendon of insertion begins near the distal fourth of the radius. It is provided with a synovial sheath which begins two or three inches (ca. 5 to 8 cm.) above the carpus and extends almost to the insertion of the tendon.

Relations.—Superficially, the skin and fascia, the posterior superficial pectoral and the tensor fasciæ antibrachii; deeply, the elbow joint, the radius, the deep flexor, the flexor carpi medius, the posterior radial vessels, and the median nerve. At the elbow the artery and nerve lie in front of the muscle, but below they dip beneath it.

Blood-supply.—Posterior radial artery.

Nerve-supply.—Median nerve.

On removing the deep fascia on the inner surface of the elbow the student may notice a small muscle lying along the lateral ligament. This is the =pronator teres=, which is usually not present or a mere vestige in the horse. It arises by a small, flat tendon from the flexor epicondyle of the humerus, and is inserted into the internal lateral ligament of the elbow. On account of its small size and the fact that the forearm is fixed in the position of pronation, the muscle can have no appreciable function. It is usually represented by the long portion of the internal lateral ligament.

2. =Flexor carpi medius= (M. flexor carpi ulnaris s. ulnaris medialis; oblique or middle flexor of the metacarpus).—This muscle lies on the inner and posterior aspect of the forearm partly under, partly behind, the preceding muscle. It arises by two heads—humeral and ulnar.