Dorsal spaces of the hand

1.Dorsal subcutaneous space:

It's part of the facial spaces of the hand.
The dorsal subcutaneous space lies between the loose dorsal skin of the hand and the deeper extensor tendons and the dorsal aponeurosis.

Distally it communicates with the space over the proximal phalanx and the wrist skin creases define the limit of this space proximally.

2.Deeper dorsal subaponeurotic space:

The dorsal subaponeurotic space lies between the metacarpal bones and the extensor tendons.

Clinical notes regarding dorsal spaces of the hand:

In subaponeurotic space infections the dorsal edema is more soft and the ischemia of the skin

Note

ischemia of the skin: it’s a disorder characterized by reduced blood flow to the skin.

less severe than in cases of subcutaneous pus accumulation. Attempts of finger extension may be limited by pain. The dorsal incisions for the drainage of the subaponeurotic space are longitudinal, over the 2nd and between 4th –5th metacarpals.

Dorsal space infections.

References:

Bacterial Infections
William D. James MD, in Andrews' Diseases of the Skin, 2020
Hand Infections
Frederick M. Azar MD, in Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics, 2021
Infections of the hand
James Chang MD, in Plastic Surgery: Volume 6: Hand and Upper Extremity, 2018
Incision and Drainage
James R. Roberts MD, FACEP, FAAEM, FACMT, in Roberts and Hedges’ Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care, 2019
national library of medicine
closed spaces hand infections: diagnostic and treatment consideration, 2012
Gathier PJ, Schönberger TJ. A man with an infected finger: a case report. J Med Case Rep. 2015