DORSAL CONNECTIVE-TISSUE SPACES OF THE THUMB

The clinical importance of the dorsal laminary connective tissue of th e thumb is often emphasized with regard to spreading infectious inflam matory processes. The dorsal; aponeurosis of the thumb contains connec tive tissue spaces, the function of which cannot simply be attributed to expanding the normal intercellular capillary spaces. These properti es give the thumb a special status, separating it from the fingers mot orically and morphologically. A plastic injection technique was used t o display the various configurations of capillary spaces in the radio- dorsal region of fixed and unfixed hands and thumbs in order to descri be them morphologically and topographically. Superficial, deep capilla ry and gliding spaces are structures limiting the mobility of the back of the thumb. They are topographically and functionally bound up with movements of the thumb saddle joint and carry the load of the radio-d orsal hand. The most exact reconstruction of the bordering elements of such functional spaces appears to be of special interest with regard to the complete restoration of thumb mobility.