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.) ] METACARPO-PHALANGEAL JOINTS =Ox.=—There are two joints, one for each digit. The two capsules communicate posteriorly. The two interdigital lateral ligaments (Ligamenta collateralia interdigitalia) result from the bifurcation of a band which arises in the furrow between the divisions of the distal end of the large metacarpal bone; they spread out and end on the proximal ends of the first phalanges. A strong =superior interdigital ligament= (Ligamentum interdigitale), consisting of short intercrossing fibers, unites the middles of the interdigital surfaces of the first phalanges. Crucial ligaments (Ligamenta phalango-sesamoideæ) connect the sesamoids with the proximal end of the opposite first phalanx. The intersesamoid ligament connects all four sesamoids, and extends upward much less than in the horse. The lateral sesamoidean ligaments end almost entirely on the first phalanges.