If you’re wondering how to identify a horse’s hind leg, this article will help you identify the different components of the hind leg. These include the bones, tendons, ligaments, arteries, and menisci. This article is not intended to be an anatomy textbook, but will serve as an overview of the hind leg. Here are some of the more common terms used to describe this part of the body:
Bones
The bones of the hind leg transmit the forces and motions of walking to the thoracic portion of the spine. The vertebral column is made up of seven or eight carpal bones arranged in two rows. The femur is almost round and its long axis measures 80 degrees. It has a water-like appearance and consistency, and is used in locomotion and weight bearing. The foot bones connect to each other via ligaments.
Ligaments
The tendons and ligaments of the hind leg play a crucial role in stabilizing the knee. They are also known as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). They connect the thigh bone to the shin, and perform many functions, including shock absorption, proprioception, and load bearing. A ruptured CCL is one of the most common causes of lameness and pain in the hind leg.
Arteries
The arteries of the hind leg supply blood to various areas of the leg. The saphenous artery is the largest artery of the hind leg and branches off into the femoral artery, internal iliac artery, and the popliteal arteries. The arteries in the hind leg supply blood to the limb’s muscles, including the semimembranosus and biceps femoris.
Menisci
The two menisci, the lateral and the medial, are important for the function of the knee. They serve as shock absorbers in the knee joint by distributing the load evenly. While walking, the pressure on the knee is between two and four times the body weight. As a result, menisci play a crucial role in reducing this pressure and protecting the articular cartilage. The menisci also help stabilize the knee joints when moving.
Joints
The joints in the hind leg are composed of the sacrum, the first three coccygeal vertebrae, and the two pelvic bones. The pelvic bones consist of three flat bones: ilium, pubis, and ischium. The ilium attaches to the sacrum at the sacroiliac joint. The sacroiliac joint is supported by the ventral sacroiliac ligament.
Evolution
The fossil record of the Tiktaalik roseae, a transitional species between fish and the first limbed animals, provides evidence that hind legs arose from enhanced hind fins. This fossil record challenges the long-held notion that hind limbs evolved after vertebrates moved onto land. The discovery of pelves, or hind feet, also challenges the theory that the hind leg evolved after the first vertebrates moved onto land.
Treatment
Hind leg treatment is necessary if your dog’s hind legs fail to function properly. The condition may result from spinal cord compression or intervertebral disc damage. If your dog is constantly hunched over, or cannot jump onto furniture, it may be a sign of spinal cord compression. However, if the problem is mild, you may not notice any obvious symptoms, but it’s still important to get your dog checked out.