perforatus

With complete rupture of the suspensory ligament there occurs a marked dropping of the fetlock joint and an abnormal amount of weight is then thrown upon the superficial flexor tendon (perforatus), causing it to be markedly tensed.

Lameness of the Horse Veterinary Practitioners' Series, No. 1 John Victor Lacroix

When the superficial flexor (perforatus) is ruptured there is no change in the position of the foot but the fetlock joint is slightly lowered.

Lameness of the Horse Veterinary Practitioners' Series, No. 1 John Victor Lacroix

[Illustration: Fig. 20 -- Contraction of the superficial digital flexor tendon (perforatus) of the right hind leg, due to tendinitis.]

Lameness of the Horse Veterinary Practitioners' Series, No. 1 John Victor Lacroix

The hock is kept fixed in position by the gastrocnemius and the superficial digital flexor (perforatus).

Lameness of the Horse Veterinary Practitioners' Series, No. 1 John Victor Lacroix

Contraction of the superficial digital flexor (perforatus), when uncomplicated, is characterized by volar flexion of the pastern joint.

Lameness of the Horse Veterinary Practitioners' Series, No. 1 John Victor Lacroix

Extension of the stifle joint would increase the distance between the femoral origin of the gastrocnemius and its insertion to the summit of fibular tarsal bone (calcis) were it not for the gastrocnemius and superficial flexor (perforatus).

Lameness of the Horse Veterinary Practitioners' Series, No. 1 John Victor Lacroix

[Illustration: Fig. 23 -- Contraction of the superficial and deep flexor tendons (perforatus and perforans) of the left fore leg.]

Lameness of the Horse Veterinary Practitioners' Series, No. 1 John Victor Lacroix

Enlargements which occur upon the summit of the os calcis, whether hypertrophy of the skin and subcuticular fascia, the result of injury or repeated vesication, distension of the subcutaneous bursa or injury to the superficial flexor tendon (perforatus) or its sheath, are generally known as capped hock.

Lameness of the Horse Veterinary Practitioners' Series, No. 1 John Victor Lacroix

There occurs more or less descent of the fetlock which must not be attributed to rupture of the superficial flexor tendon (perforatus).

Lameness of the Horse Veterinary Practitioners' Series, No. 1 John Victor Lacroix

Contraction of the suspensory ligament would cause the pastern joint to assume the same position as is occasioned by contraction of the superficial digital flexor (perforatus) tendon, but when the subject is bearing weight on the affected member, it is easy to determine that no contraction of the suspensory ligament exists, by noting an absence of abnormal tenseness of this structure.

Lameness of the Horse Veterinary Practitioners' Series, No. 1 John Victor Lacroix