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Study of inter‐metacarpo‐phalangeal spaces
Author(s) -
Jovanovic M. S.,
Royer J.,
Roy P. E.,
Houde G.,
Houde J. P.,
Falardeau J.,
Pusterla A.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
clinical anatomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1098-2353
pISSN - 0897-3806
DOI - 10.1002/ca.980030305
Subject(s) - medicine , anatomy , dissection (medical) , metacarpophalangeal joint , thumb
A study of the inter‐metacarpo‐phalangeal spaces on 20 human bodies was carried out to establish the existence of bursae at this level. Recent studies (Bossley and Cairney: J. Bone Joint Surg. [ Br. ], 62‐B: 184–187, 1980; Midy et al.: Bull. Assoc. Anat., 70: 37–41, 1986) suggest that such bursae are present at this level in the foot. Careful dissection and histologic studies revealed characteristics compatible with both of the following hypotheses: either these are bursae not previously described in anatomy texts, or these are virtual spaces limited by a cul‐de‐sac of the aponeuroses of the hand in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th spaces. Tissue analyses that could determine more specifically the nature of the limiting membrane of these spaces, as well as pathologic studies demonstrating the occurrence of common anomalies of bursae in these spaces, are required in order to unequivocally establish the nature of the inter‐metacarpo‐phalangeal spaces.