FUNCTIONAL GLIDING SPACES OF THE DORSAL SIDE OF THE HUMAN FINGER

Although the clinical and functional importance of gliding and connect ive tissue spaces has been repeatedly emphasized (e.g. their role in t he spreading of suppurative phlegmonic inflammation) only few literary findings can be presented dealing with the connective tissue spaces i n the finger in the metacarpo-phalangeal transition region. Three sepa rate gliding spaces of the finger above the dorsal aponeurosis and the ir various regional connections can be displayed by means of a plastic injection technique followed by plastination and production of sectio nal series. These gliding spaces were also examined on fixed and unfix ed hands using plastic injection and subsequent dissection. A space wa s depicted between the proximal interphalangeal joint and the insertio n of the dorsal aponeurosis on the distal phalanx of the finger, as we ll as a further bursa-like space over the proximal interphalangeal joi nt. A third space was also depicted between the metacarpophalangeal jo int and the proximal interphalangeal joint, which displays a variable connection to the gliding canal of the respective extensor tendons. Me thodical, functional and clinical aspects will be discussed.