Page 218 - Clinical Anatomy

ECA3 7/18/06 6:45 PM Page 203

The spaces of the hand 203

Fig. 147◊The midpalmar
and thenar spaces:
(a) projected on to the
surface of the hand and
(b) in transverse section.

Infection of these two spaces sometimes results from penetrating
wounds or may be due to secondary involvement from a long-neglected
tendon sheath infection. Nowadays they are fortunately extremely
rare, thanks to antibiotic treatment and the early surgical drainage of pus
collections.