Which ligament holds accessory bones to the hock?

Which ligament holds accessory bones to the hock?

• A. Palmar ligament
• B. Plantar ligament
• C. Dorsal ligament
• D. Calcanean tendon

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is about stability on the underside of the hind limb. The ligaments on the plantar (sole-side) surface of the hock are the ones that bind the small accessory tarsal bones to the main tarsal bones and calcaneus. These plantar ligaments hold the ossicles in place and help maintain alignment of the tarsal joints, especially when the joint is flexed or loaded. The dorsal ligaments sit on the opposite side and don’t secure those accessory bones, and the calcanean tendon is a tendon joining muscles to the calcaneal tuber, not a ligament that anchors accessory bones. So the plantar (palmar in forelimb terminology) ligament is the correct stabilizer for the accessory bones in the hock.

The main idea here is about stability on the underside of the hind limb. The ligaments on the plantar (sole-side) surface of the hock are the ones that bind the small accessory tarsal bones to the main tarsal bones and calcaneus. These plantar ligaments hold the ossicles in place and help maintain alignment of the tarsal joints, especially when the joint is flexed or loaded. The dorsal ligaments sit on the opposite side and don’t secure those accessory bones, and the calcanean tendon is a tendon joining muscles to the calcaneal tuber, not a ligament that anchors accessory bones. So the plantar (palmar in forelimb terminology) ligament is the correct stabilizer for the accessory bones in the hock.