Morphology of the dorsal phalangeal connective tissue body.
BACKGROUND
The connective tissue body of the dorsal finger is partitioned by multiple horizontal lamellae derived from expansions of intercellular spaces. These connective fibres are involved in providing gliding spaces for the extensor apparatus, and they formed spreading rooms of infection processes.


METHODS
In order to describe the topographical histological and histochemical behavior of cellular and intercellular elements of the border lamellae of the dorsal aponeurosis of the fingers, a modified method of Epoxid resin embedding technique without pre-infiltration is used.


RESULTS
The bordering elements of the connective tissue lamellae described in this investigation are especially well defined in the region of the dorsal aponeurosis. The morphological examinations show that both the expansions of the intercellular space as well as defined fibrocytic cellular elements function in a manner equivalent to a synovial membrane of tendon sheaths.


CONCLUSIONS
Saving or reconstructing these structures appears to be of importance in preventing for adhesive disorders of finger motion following surgical intervention in this region.
Department of Anatomy, University of Cologne, Germany.
H
H
Bade
M
M
Schubert
J
J
Koebke
D000368:Aged; D003239:Connective Tissue Cells; D005110:Extracellular Space; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013710:Tendons / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013933:Thumb / Q000033:anatomy & histology