Flexor tendon

As flexor tendons is called the terminal tendons of the muscles that bend the toe and finger joints. A distinction is made between a superficial and a deep flexor tendon.

Superficial flexor tendon

The superficial flexor tendon is formed by the superficial finger flexor or toe flexor on the leg . It starts on the second phalanx or toe (called the crown bone in animals ).

Deep flexor tendon

The deep flexor tendon is the end tendon of the deep finger or toe flexor . It starts on the last phalanx or toe ( called the coffin bone in ungulates ). At the last toe joint (both on the front and rear extremities) it is underlain in animals by a sesamoid bone , which in ungulates is known as the navicular bone .

Tendon sheaths

The two flexor tendons have a common tendon sheath (fetlock tendon sheath , vagina synovialis tendinum digitorum manus or pedis ) in the area of ​​the wrist (carpal flexor tendon sheath, vagina synovialis communis musculorum flexorum ) and the metatarsophalangeal joint .

Flexor tendon junction

In the area of ​​the metacarpus or the metatarsus , the superficial flexor tendon, as the name suggests, runs superficially to the deep one. However, their approach is more proximal. Therefore, the superficial flexor tendon must allow the deep one to pass before it is attached to the bone. This takes place in the flexor tendon junction ( chiasma tendinum ). Here the superficial flexor tendon divides into two legs, through the gap of which the deep one passes. The vinculae are decisive for the blood supply to the flexor tendons.