Reflex from the ankle ligaments of the feline.

It was found that two to three articular branches of the tibial nerve innervate the medial ligament of the feline ankle. No innervation was found to the laterial ligament. Supramaximal electrical stimulation of the articular nerves was found to elicit electromyographic (EMG) activity in the intrinsic muscles of the foot. EMG activity was not found in any of the calf muscles which cross the ankle. The average time delay from stimulus to EMG activity was 3.8 ms, indicating that a fast, bisynaptic reflex is active, probably for purposes of preventing or correcting foot eversion to maintain joint stability.