6o6 



HUMAN ANATOMY. 



press the soft tissues ; while the ease with which both veins and arteries may be 

 obstructed at the bend of the elbow should lead to careful avoidance of pressure in 

 that region from the upper end of the palmar splint. 



The preservation of the interosseous space is favored by the omission of the 

 primary roller bandage and by the avoidance of direct pressure upon the soft parts 

 by the bandage used to retain the splints. 



THE MUSCLES OF THE HAND. 



The Deep Fascia of the Hand. — The deep fascia of the palmar surface 

 of the hand is usually regarded as being represented by the palmar aponeurosis, a 

 firm sheet of connective tissue which occupies the palm of the hand and lies imme- 



FiG. 5S7. 



Thenar eminence covered 

 with lateral portion of 

 palmar fascia 



Hypothenar eminence 



Palmar fascia, central 

 portion 



Palmar fascia, lateral portion 



Digital nerves 

 Superficial transverse ligament 



Digital arteries 



Superficial dissection of hand, showing palmar fascia. 



diately beneath the skin. This structure represents, however, the superricial layer 

 of a thick aponeurosis which occurs in the lower vertebrates, receiving the insertion 

 of the antibrachial flexors and giving origin to the digital flexors. From the proxi- 

 mal portion of this aponeurosis there is formed, however, the anterior annular liga- 

 ment, and this may be considered as a portion of the palmar aponeurosis. 



The latter (Fig. 587), often called t\\Q palmar fascia, is a fan-shaped sheet 

 whose apex is directed proximally, receiving the insertion of the palmaris longus and 

 being to a certain extent continuous with the anterior annular ligament. It reaches 



